Make healthy choices, avoid Type 2 diabetes - Karen Hourtovenko

Many of the patients who I see, come with similar complaints of fatigue and weight gain. When discussing present diseases, many say they are not a diabetic because all their blood work is normal.

Even though this may be true, the real question is, how long will it remain normal.

You see, the risk for diabetes — and many other diseases, including heart disease — is very high. And many are well on their way to developing a disease that is preventable with a lifestyle that is in your control.

Let me explain. Your body has an amazing ability to keep our systems in check for months to years, until the dam cannot hold the water any longer and there is a flood — or you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It just doesn’t happen.

I have many patients tell me “I was fine, and then all of a sudden, my sugars were 30 and I’m a diabetic.”

Being diagnosed should not be a surprise to anyone, especially if you see your primary practitioner regularly. Certain warning signs are usually obvious. It is your responsibility to take care of your health. It is the health care team’s job to get you out of crisis, not prevent your illnesses.

So, what are those warning signs? To start, waist circumference is a big one (pardon the pun). For men, a waist measurement above 40 inches at the belly button — no, not where your pants sit men — and for ladies, 35 inches.

Anything above these numbers, the higher your chances of having diabetes is.

If your cholesterol is creeping up, especially your triglycerides (reflective of sugar consumption) then you can be sure your pancreas is working hard. When you are driving a standard transmission, those of you whom have driven one know that when you accelerate and the RPMs of the transmission increase, then you must manually shift into the next gear. The pancreas will do this, too. As there is more sugar to deal with (higher RPMs) then the pancreas secretes more insulin (switches gears).

The problem happens when the engine revs at 5-6,000 RPMs and your transmission is stuck in first gear. The engine is not able to withstand that amount of stress so it will fail, as will your pancreas. When the pancreas fails, the blood sugar increases and the body can no longer compensate, therefore developing type 2 diabetes.

There are symptoms you should be aware of it your pancreas fails. These include blurring vision, breath smelling of acetone, weight loss, increased breathing, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. If these symptoms are present, then access healthcare as soon as possible.

Have you ever wondered why we call it type 2 diabetes? Years ago, it was referred to as “adult-onset diabetes,” because it developed in adulthood. The name was changed because there are children as young as age eight developing the disease because of bad lifestyle choices.

Type 2 diabetes develops when your body is stressed with too much sugar. Sugar comes in many forms, not just junk food, but all carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables and grains).

Staying away from refined sugars, including drinks, is a great place to start. Exercising helps the body burn off excess sugar so the pancreas does not have to, and getting your waist circumference down can help you keep your health in check.

Remember, pills will not take away the disease, they keep it at bay, unless you do your part and change your lifestyle. Take charge of your health now before type 2 diabetes takes hold of you and causes other health problems. You have only one body. Take care of it.

Karen Hourtovenko, RN(EC), is a health and wellness consultant from Sudbury who writes columns about healthy living for Northern Life.