Diabetes education a must for prevention, treatment

Diabetes is one of the most deadly diseases in the United States, but there are ways to manage, prevent and treat it before complications occur.

Diabetes is associated with an increased risk for a number of serious, sometimes lifethreatening complications, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease, amputations and nervous system disease, according to Nancy MacKay, public health nurse administrator for the South Brunswick Health Department.

Two out of three diabetics die from heart disease and stroke, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The ADA also notes that complications from diabetes cause more American deaths than breast cancer and AIDS combined.

“Diabetes is such a serious problem, an epidemic among children, adolescents and adults in the U.S.,” MacKay said.

Though the statistics are grim, there are various ways to prevent, treat and manage the disease in order to ensure a long and healthy life, according to the ADA. One of the ways to do so, according to the ADA, is to learn all about the disease, including the various symptoms and methods of treatment and prevention.

The South Brunswick Health Department in conjunction with the Princeton HealthCare System will sponsor a fiveweek educational program in June for anyone dealing with diabetes, particularly those diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes and their caregivers.

“We think it’s really important to get to the people who have it,” MacKay said. “It is a crucial public health issue.”

People who attend the educational program will learn strategies to help prevent health complications caused by diabetes, and those with pre-diabetes, which occurs when a person’s blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes, and will learn how to halt their symptoms from developing further, according to MacKay, who coordinated the program.

The sessions, which will take place every Wednesday from 10:45 a.m. to noon in the Municipal Center, starting June 2, will host guest speakers from the Princeton HealthCare System.

Topics will include diet, such as calorie counting; exercise, which will be taught by a physical therapist; foot care, which MacKay said is imperative, given the fact that people with diabetes often lose feeling in their extremities, causing them to overlook infections; and eye care, since diabetes can lead to blindness if certain symptoms are not dealt with early on.

It has been conclusively proved through a Diabetes Prevention Program Study that people with pre-diabetes, which affects approximately 57 million Americans, can prevent their symptoms from developing into type 2 diabetes by making changes in their diet and increasing their level of physical activity, according to the ADA.

“Oftentimes [complications] can be prevented by diet and exercise,” MacKay said. “Routine exercise can possibly reduce your blood sugar levels.”