lcmh.com 13 Diabetes is actually a group of diseases characterized by high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It may be that the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin—a hormone involved in turning food into glucose, which the body uses for energy. Another possibility is that the body isn’t using insulin effectively. Whatever the case, the result is too much sugar in the blood. And excessive amounts of blood sugar can harm organs and lead to serious problems. Diabetes typically strikes in one of three ways. Diabetes isn’t just one disease By Craig Greenman, MD, internal medicine physician Diabetes in SWLA The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 38.4 million Americans are living with diabetes, and another 97.6 million are living with prediabetes. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, Region 5 Office of Public Health, 14.9% of adults in SWLA have been told they have diabetes. However, only about 80% of all people in the five-parish area are actively monitoring their blood glucose levels through regular blood work. This region includes the five parishes of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis. Diabetes Support Group First Tuesday of each month 10 to 11 a.m. Diabetes Education Office, 2615 Enterprise Blvd. Don’t underestimate the importance of education and peer support when living with diabetes. For more information, call Memorial’s Diabetes Education Office at 337-284-4898. Expert diabetes care Dr. Greenman, along with any of LCMHS‘s other primary care providers, can help you manage your diabetes. To make an appointment with Dr. Greenman, call 337-284-8550, or visit lcmh.com/doctors to browse a complete list of physicians. Gestational diabetes Some women who’ve never had diabetes before develop it during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually resolves once the baby is born. However, it increases the mother’s risk for future type 2 diabetes—as well as the baby’s risk, if the mother isn’t treated. Type 2 diabetes This is the most common type of diabetes. About 90% to 95% of adults diagnosed with diabetes have type 2. It is diagnosed most often in adults, but is increasingly being found in children. Type 2 occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use it properly. Genetics, diet and inactivity are all probable causes. Medicines, and sometimes insulin, are needed to treat it. Type 1 diabetes Type 1 usually begins in childhood or young adulthood. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin—or makes no insulin at all. That’s why people with type 1 need to regularly take insulin, often with daily injections. Only about 5% of adults diagnosed with diabetes have type 1.
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