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Type 1, 2
diabetes
Possible Diabetes?
Take the Test. Know the
Score
Million of people do have
diabetes - and nearly one-third of them do not even know it! Take
this test to see if you are at risk for having diabetes. Diabetes is
more common in African Americans, Latinos, American Indians, Asian
Americans, and Pacific Islanders. If you are a member of one of
these ethnic groups, you need to pay special attention to this test.
To find out if you are at risk, write in the
points next to each statement that is true for you. If a statement
is not true, write a zero. Add your total score.
| 1. My weight
is equal to or above that listed in the chart. |
YES
5 _____ |
| 2. I am
under 65 years of age and I get little or no
exercise during a usual day. |
YES
5 _____ |
| 3. I am
between 45 and 64 years of age. |
YES
5 _____ |
| 4. I am 65
years old or older. |
YES
9 _____ |
| 5. I am a
woman who has had a baby weighing more than nine pounds at
birth. |
YES
1 _____ |
| 6. I have a
sister or a brother with diabetes. |
YES
1 _____ |
| 7. I have a
parent with diabetes. |
YES
1 _____ |
|
TOTAL _____ |
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Scoring 3-9 points
You are probably at low risk for having
diabetes now. But don't just forget about it--especially if
you are Hispanic/Latino, African American, American Indian,
Asian American, or Pacific Islander. You may be at higher risk
in the future. New guidelines recommend everyone age 45 and
over consider being tested for the disease every three years.
However, people at high risk should consider being tested at a
younger age.
Scoring 10 or more points
You are at greater risk for having
diabetes. Only your health care provider can determine if you
have diabetes. See your health care provider soon and find out
for sure.
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At-risk Weight
Chart |
| Height |
Weight |
|
feet/inches
without
shoes |
pounds
Without clothing
|
| 4'
10" |
129
|
| 4'
11" |
133
|
| 5'
0" |
138
|
| 5'
1" |
143
|
| 5'
2" |
147
|
| 5'
3" |
152
|
| 5'
4" |
157
|
| 5'
5" |
162
|
| 5'
6" |
167
|
| 5'
7" |
172
|
| 5'
8" |
177
|
| 5'
9" |
182
|
| 5'
10" |
188
|
| 5'
11" |
193
|
| 6'
0" |
199
|
| 6'
1" |
204
|
| 6'
2" |
210
|
| 6'
3" |
216
|
| 6'
4" |
221
|
|
If you weigh the same or more
than the amount listed for your height, you may be at risk
for diabetes. This chart is based on a measure called the
Body Mass Index (BMI). The chart shows unhealthy weights for
men and women age 35 or older at the listed heights. At-risk
weights are lower for individuals under age 35.
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Blood Glucose Testing
Testing can be done
using the tips of the fingers, as well as Alternate Site Testing (AST) on
such places as the sides of the hands, the forearm and the leg. When
in doubt or if a low is suspected always use the finger tip for most
reliable results. While most people do not find a time lag when
using AST, current research recommends that lows be monitored through
finger testing.
Why is it
important to test?
In order to properly
control your diabetes, it is important to know what you blood glucose
levels are. Too high or too low can lead to disastrous
complications.
When to
test?
This depends on if
you have Type 1 Diabetes or not and how active you are. Current Canadian
Diabetes Association Clinical Practice guidelines suggest 6 times per
day. Many doctors suggest testing before each meal, before, after
and during strenuous physical activity, and before bed. It may
also be preferable to test at least once throughout the night to ensure
that nighttime basal insulins are working properly. Please consult with
your diabetes team to see how often you should test your blood glucose
levels.
But what does
"blood glucose testing" mean?
Glucose is a type of
sugar. The body forms glucose when it breaks down the food we
eat into a useable form of energy. Glucose is the body's main source of
energy. Measuring the amount of glucose found in your blood helps to show
how the body is breaking down food into energy, as well as how the liver
is working.
Blood glucose
testing may be Fasting--which is done after you have not eaten for 12-14
hours and is often used in a clinical setting to diagnose diabetes.
It may be a 2-hour Postprandial test which is testing done 2 hours after a
meal. Finally, Random testing can be done. This testing that occurs
at various times throughout the day.
Please remember
that the above information is simply a guideline and in no way replaces
medical advise. Please speak with your doctor or diabetes care
professional to determine what blood glucose levels are optimal for your
care. The above guidelines are based on the Canadian Diabetes
Association's 2003 Clinical Practice Guidelines.
Important
information about AST
* Under
certain conditions, blood glucose test results obtained using samples
taken from your arm may differ significantly from fingertip samples.
*
The conditions in which these differences are most likely to occur are
when your blood glucose is changing rapidly such as following a meal, an
insulin dose or associated with physical exercise.
* When blood glucose
is changing rapidly, fingertip samples show these changes more quickly
than arm samples.
* When your blood glucose is falling, testing with a
fingertip sample may identify a hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) level
sooner than a test with an arm sample.
* Use arm samples only for
testing prior to, or more than 2 hours after, meals, insulin dosing or
physical exercise.
* Testing performed within two hours after a meal,
an insulin dose or physical exercise, or whenever you feel that your
glucose levels may be changing rapidly, should be done from the
fingertip.
* You should also use fingertip testing whenever you have a
concern about hypoglycemia (insulin reactions) such as when driving a car,
particularly if you suffer from hypoglycemic unawareness (lack of symptoms
to indicate an insulin reaction), as arm testing may fail to detect
hypoglycemia.
Please remember all changes in
insulin regimens must be discussed with your Doctor first!!! Below
is information to assist you in being more informed when speaking with
them.
If You Have
Diabetes. . .
A
Flu Shot Can Be a Life Saver
The Facts Are. .
.
-
People
with diabetes are 3 times more likely to die from flu and
pneumonia.
-
People
with diabetes are 6 times more likely to be hospitalized with flu
complications.
-
Death
rate among people with diabetes can increase 5 to 15% during flu
epidemics
-
Each
year
nationwide, 10,000 - 30,000 deaths among people with
diabetes are associated with flu and pneumonia.
-
Fewer
than 1/2 of the people diagnosed with diabetes receive the flu shot each
year & only 1/3 report ever receiving the pneumococcal
shot.
Take Control . . .
-
A
pneumococcal shot can protect you from pneumonia and other infections
caused by the same bacteria and should be taken approximately every ten
years.
-
A yearly
flu shot is safe and easy to administer, and it can be taken along with
a pneumococcal shot.
-
Family
members and those who care for people with diabetes should also receive
the flu shot each year.
-
You can
not get the flu from the flu vaccine because it does not contain a live
virus.
For More Information About
Diabetes and Flu Vaccine, contact:
Your
Health Care Provider,
Have diabetes, will
travel
Heading out of town? Leaving your troubles
behind? Off on an important business trip? Whenever you travel, your
diabetes makes the trip with you. While diabetes shouldn't stop you from
traveling in style, you will need to do some careful planning. Here are
some helpful diabetes travel tips from the National Diabetes Education
Program:
PLAN AHEAD
• Get all your immunizations. Find out what's
required for where you're going and make sure you get the right shots on
time.
• Control your ABCs. See your healthcare provider for a
checkup four to six weeks before your trip to make sure your alcohol,
blood pressure and cholesterol are under control and in a healthy range
before you leave.
• Ask your healthcare provider for a prescription
and a letter explaining your diabetes medication, supplies and any
allergies. Carry this with you at all times on your trip. The prescription
should be for insulin or diabetes medications and could help in case of an
emergency.
• Wear identification that explains you have diabetes.
The identification should be written in the languages of the places you
are visiting.
• Plan for time zone changes. Make sure you'll always
know when to take your diabetes medicine, no matter where you are.
Remember: eastward travel means a shorter day. If you inject insulin, less
might be needed. Westward travel means a longer day, so more insulin might
be needed.
• Find out how long the flight will be and whether meals
will be served. However, you should always carry enough food to cover the
entire flight time in case of delays or unexpected schedule
changes.
PACK PROPERLY
• Take twice the amount of diabetes
medication and supplies that you'd normally need. It's better to be safe
than sorry.
• Keep your insulin cool by packing it in an insulated
bag with refrigerated gel packs.
• If you use insulin, make sure
you also pack a glucagon emergency kit.
• Make sure you keep your
medical insurance card and emergency phone numbers handy.
• Don't
forget to pack a first-aid kit with all the essentials.
WHEN
FLYING
• Plan to carry all your diabetes supplies in your carry-on
luggage. Don't risk a lost suitcase.
• Have all syringes and
insulin delivery systems (including vials of insulin) clearly marked with
the pharmaceutical preprinted label that identifies the medications. The
FAA recommends that patients travel with their original pharmacy labeled
packaging.
• Keep your diabetes medications and emergency snacks with
you at your seat. Don't store them in an overhead bin.
• If the
airline offers a meal for your flight, call ahead for a diabetic, low-fat
or low-cholesterol meal.
• Wait until your food is about to be
served before you take your insulin. Otherwise, a delay in the meal could
lead to low blood glucose.
• If no food is offered on your flight,
bring a meal on board yourself.
• If you plan on using the restroom
for insulin injections, ask for an aisle seat for
easier
access.
• Don't be shy about telling the flight attendant that you
have diabetes, especially if you are traveling alone.
• When
drawing up your dose of insulin, don't inject air into the bottle. The air
on your plane will probably be pressurized.
• Because prescription
laws can be very different in other countries, write for a list of
International Diabetes Federation groups: IDF, 1 Reu de Faeqz, B-1000,
Belgium, or visit www.idf.org. Get a list of English-speaking foreign
doctors in case of an emergency. Contact the American Consulate, American
Express or local medical schools for a list of doctors.
• Insulin
in foreign countries comes in different strengths. If you purchase insulin
in a foreign country, be sure to use the right syringe for the strength.
An incorrect syringe might cause you to take too much or too little
insulin.
ON THE ROAD
• Don't leave your medications in
the trunk, glove compartment or near a window, where they might overheat.
If possible, carry a cooler in the car to keep medications cool.
•
Bring extra food with you in the car in case you can't find a
restaurant.
GENERAL TRAVELING TIPS
• Stay comfortable and reduce
your risk for blood clots by moving around every hour or two.
•
Always tell at least one person traveling with you about your
diabetes.
• Protect your feet. Never go barefoot in the shower or
pool.
• Check your blood glucose often. Changes in diet, activity
and time zones can affect your blood glucose in unexpected
ways.
You might not be able to leave your diabetes behind, but you
can control it and have a relaxing, safe trip. To learn more about
controlling your diabetes, visit the National Diabetes Education Program
at www.ndep.nih.gov.
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