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Keeping Your
Diabetes in Check
By Emily Rippe Desmond
Marketing & Communications Manager, Neighborhood Health
Association
The Truth Contributor
Community Health Workers (CHWs) at Neighborhood Health
Association (NHA) are tackling common health conditions that
affect Americans, and the health disparities among minority
groups. This week’s topic is type 1 diabetes.
“Type 1 diabetes can be a devastating disease if not
monitored properly,” says Shanile Harris, a CHW at NHA’s
Nexus Health Care and Mildred Bayer Clinic for the Homeless.
The American Diabetes Association warns that when left
untreated, diabetes increases the risk of serious vision
conditions, including cataracts and glaucoma; foot
complications such as nerve damage, cuts and blisters, and
in severe cases, amputation; high cholesterol and blood
pressure making you more prone to major cardiac events;
liver issues; and a shorter life.
“The biggest risk I see at Mildred Bayer is patients not
knowing the seriousness of diabetes,” Harris says. “Some
patients don’t know how to use their glucometers, how to
test properly, or simply are not taking their medications.”
Diabetes by the Numbers
According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 26
million Americans are currently living with the disease, and
another 79 million Americans have prediabetes. This means
almost one-third of the total U.S. population is affected by
diabetes. Unfortunately, racial and ethnic minorities,
including African Americans and Latinos, have a higher
prevalence and greater burden of diabetes, compared to their
white counterparts. For example, the risk of diabetes is 77
percent higher among African Americans than among
non-Hispanic white Americans. Some minority groups have
higher rates of complications when they don’t keep their
diabetes in check.
Tips for Staying Healthy with Diabetes
The good news is that with proper treatment and recommended
lifestyle changes, many people with diabetes are able to
prevent complications and keep their diabetes in check.
Harris shares the following tips:
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Make healthy food choices: Start by choosing foods that
are low in carbohydrates (sugar and flour) and
emphasizing vegetables, whole grains, fruit, beans and
lean meats (chicken and fish) and low-fat dairy
products.
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Exercise regularly: Doctors usually recommend aerobic
exercises, those that make the heart work.
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Monitor blood sugars: If your doctor has recommended
that you monitor your blood sugar through home testing,
do so as recommended and keep a daily log of your
numbers.
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Take your medication: It may sound like an obvious rule,
but some patients don’t take their medications as
prescribed.
Schedule your NHA appointment by calling 419.255.7883, Learn
more about our organization by visiting
http://www.nhainc.org/.
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