Diabetes Awareness Month

PERSEVERANCE

"Continuous effort not strength or intelligence is the key to unlocking our true potential"   

Winston Churchill

The first seminar was held on November 6th, 2013 with PERSEVERANCE as a main topic

Today started the first seminar in the series about Diabetes.  We explored a lot of information to help us improve outcomes in this chronic condition.

We defined diabetes as a series of conditions characterized by high blood sugar level that result from defects in the body’s ability to produce and/or use insulin.

Insulin is defined as a hormone that allows the body to use sugar as the source of energy.

Dr. Carlos Vinas welcomes assistants to the event

Risks factors for diabetes Type II: 

• Overweight
• High blood pressure
• Low HDL
• High triglycerides
• Having a family or relative who has diabetes, or if you are African American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander.                                      
• Gestational diabetes also increases your risk of Type II diabetes.

Some effects of diabetes include:

• Vascular disease including heart attacks and strokes
• Renal failures.
• Amputations.
• Blindness.

The ABC’s of diabetes:

• A - Stands for A1C (a measure of average blood glucose);
• B - Stands for Blood Pressure;
• C - Stands for Cholesterol.

The goals for people with diabetes are:

1. Keep an A1C close to 6.
2. Make sure your blood pressure is always well controlled -around 130/80.  To lower blood pressure cut back on salt, lose weight, and exercise.
3. Check your cholesterol: LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) should be 100 or lower.  HDL (good cholesterol) should be 40 or higher. Triglycerides, another form of fat in the blood that can increase risk of heart attacks and strokes, they should be below 150.

During a break, Dr. Martha M. Rodriguez interact and answer questions from participants.

Planning is very important: 

Educate yourself in what foods are good for you, make meal plans.  Lose weight, if needed.  Choose foods low in fat.  Include variety in your food choices.  Exercise; a little bit goes a long way!

Get help to quit smoking.

Ask about taking aspirin and other medications such as ACE inhibitors to avoid the complications of diabetes. Make sure you take all your medications as prescribed.  Use tools if necessary to help you remember such as pill boxes.

In summary to lower your risk:

• A1C close to 6;
• Blood pressure around 130/80;
• LDL cholesterol less than 100;
• HDL cholesterol greater than 40;
• Triglycerides less than 150;
• Quit smoking;
• Be active;
• Make healthy food choices;
• Take your medications as prescribed.

Most importantly:

An educated patient translates to a healthy patient.  Stay in control, and ahead.

Twitter: @mmrhealthcare
Facebook: Martha M Rodriguez MD PA
Blog: mmrhealthcare.blogspot.com