Diabetes: Don’t Sugar Coat it Living with Type II Diabetes

Glucose Primary source of energy for body Comes from carbohydrate digestion Blood glucose levels “Blood sugar” Glucose is a simple sugar that is found in carbohydrate foods Carbs are broken down into glucose and travels through the blood stream to cells to provide energy Glucose in the blood stream is also often referred to as blood sugar In Type II Diabetes a lot of glucose is left in the blood stream Rise in blood glucose levels > hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) > diabetic coma

What is Type II Diabetes Body can’t utilize glucose or insulin properly Insulin Resistance Chronic condition Body can not properly use glucose because the body is not producing enough insulin or cells have become insulin resistant Can’t convert glucose to energy Glucose builds up in the blood stream Picture explanation: Think of a key unlocking a door; insulin is the key and the cell is the door. Insulin unlocks the cell, so that glucose can move in and be used. Without the key, the door can’t be unlocked just like in insulin resistance without insulin, the cell can’t be unlocked. If the cell is not unlocked, glucose can’t move in and builds up in the blood stream, causing Type II Diabetes. http://www.floridalapband.com/weight-loss-guide/obesity-and-your-health/type-2-diabetes.

Risk Factors Obesity Waist circumference High cholesterol High blood pressure Age >40 Race Physical inactivity Development is not fully understood, but risk factors that increase chances of being diagnosed Having more fatty tissue makes the body’s cells more resistant to insulin As a person ages they usually become less active, lose muscle, and gain fat It is unclear why, but studies have shown that certain races (African American, Hispanic, etc) are at higher risk Exercise helps cells in the body use up glucose in the blood and makes cells more sensitive to insulin What type of risk factors does the cartoon man display overtly? Answer: Obesity, high waist circumference, over the age of 40

Symptoms Thirst Frequent urination Blurry vision Numbness in extremities Infections Impaired wound healing Fatigue In some cases there are no symptoms

Carbohydrate Balanced Diet 45-65 grams of carbs/meal 135-185 grams of carbs/day Types of carbs Starch Sugar Fiber Carbohydrate Exchange Starch and sugars both breakdown in the body into glucose and can raise blood glucose levels when ingested. Fiber is not broken down into glucose, so can’t it raise blood glucose. Fiber can help lower cholesterol 50g of fiber/day can help control blood glucose levels carbohydrate exchange system-go into more detail about this method next class. Before going to next slide have class write down foods they think are low in carbs and high in carbs.

Low Carb Foods Avocados Meat Almonds Spinach Cheese Coffee Berries Go over foods with low carb content to make sure the class understands what types of foods are best for those with Type II Diabetes Those with Type II Diabetes want to choose low carb foods and try to avoid high carb foods in order to maintain a healthy blood glucose level

High Carb Foods Bread Pasta Rice Potatoes Candy Soda Bananas Go over foods with high carb content to make sure the class understands what types of foods should be avoided for those with Type II Diabetes High carb foods do not need to be completely avoided, just monitored and limited Those with Type II Diabetes want to choose low carb foods and try to limit high carb foods in order to maintain a healthy blood glucose level

Questions? Take questions from the class, then given them another questionnaire to fill out and collect when done, and then give out Type II Diabetes informational pamphlet