Letter to the Editor: Camp St. Andrew backers urged to attend Mass in Scranton in show of support

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Holy Redeemer’s Mara Campbell Pawlenok retires after 36 years

<p>Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the way your body uses food for energy. When you have diabetes, either your pancreas makes little or no insulin, or the insulin your pancreas does produce is not working the way it should. It&#8217;s a disease that&#8217;s lifelong, complicated and costly.</p><p>Right now, nearly one in 10 adults in Pennsylvania has diabetes, a rate that has almost doubled in the last 20 years. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the national rate of adults with diabetes has nearly tripled since 1980.</p><p>Even more troubling is that type 2 diabetes &#8211; formerly known as adult-onset diabetes &#8211; has been increasing at this rapid rate along with the rise in obesity in the United States. Besides obesity, family history and physical inactivity are key risk factors for type 2 diabetes. And according to a 2014 CDC report, type 2 diabetes can lead to other health problems, such as heart disease and stroke, blindness, kidney failure and lower-limb amputation.</p><p>High blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as kidney, gum, liver and nerve disease are other conditions often associated with diabetes.</p><p>During November, known as American Diabetes Month, we emphasize how people can better manage this disease.</p><p>First and most important, lifestyle choices including healthy eating and physical activity should be on everyone&#8217;s radar screen. Being overweight puts you at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. And quitting smoking is an important part of diabetes prevention and control.</p><p>Whether you have diabetes or not, it&#8217;s also critical to have an annual physical exam. Early screening and identification is a key factor in getting diabetes under control. Even mild hyperglycemia (a fasting blood sugar of 100 mg/dL or higher) can be a warning sign for diabetes. </p><p>If you&#8217;ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, please keep in mind these important tips for managing your diabetes from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago:</p><p>&#8226; Eat a balanced diet. Seeing a dietitian every one to two years can be helpful if you have diabetes. Most health insurance plans cover a certain number of visits to a registered dietitian, especially if you have a chronic illness such as diabetes.</p><p>&#8226; Exercise at least three to four times a week for 20 to 40 minutes each session. A regular exercise program can improve blood sugars, decrease the risk of heart disease and help you lose weight. Be sure to talk to your health care provider before starting any exercise program.</p><p>&#8226; Get plenty of sleep. Keeping a regular schedule and getting enough sleep will help you keep your blood sugar levels in good control.</p><p>&#8226; If you smoke, quit. While smoking is bad for your health, it is especially harmful for people with diabetes. People with diabetes already have a greater risk of developing health problems like heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, foot problems and more, and smoking makes the risks that much greater.</p><p>&#8226; Manage stress as best you can. Stress, both physical and mental, can negatively affect your blood sugar levels. Consider a stress management workshop to help you learn better coping methods.</p><p>&#8226; Practice good foot and skin care. Check your feet daily for calluses, cracks or skin breakdown. If you notice any redness, swelling or numbness, notify your doctor right away.</p><p>&#8226; Stay knowledgeable about diabetes. Continue learning about diabetes to maintain and improve your health.</p><p>If you have diabetes, check with your health insurer &#8211; many offer information through health coaches or online tools to help people with diabetes eat better, exercise more and quit smoking.</p><p>Being diagnosed with diabetes can be overwhelming. And while no one wants to have diabetes, the reality is it is very controllable with the right tools. The tips above can help you be an active participant in your health care. And if you need more information, be sure to contact your health care provider or the <a href="http://www.diabetes.org/" target="_blank">American Diabetes Association</a>.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Daelene Long</p><p>Contributing Columnist</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Daelene Long is senior director of clinical operations for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Daelene Long: Learn to better manage your diabetes by following tips like these