What to expect when diagnosed with diabetes
with Dr. Jordan Sennett, endocrinologist, Advanced Healthcare
There's no doubt about it, type 2 diabetes is on the rise. Jordan Sennett, MD, an endocrinologist with Advanced Healthcare, sees so many new cases he compares it to an "absolute epidemic."
Of particular concern is the alarming number of young people now developing the disease. "It used to be that when we saw teenagers with diabetes, it was type 1. Now, we see more teenagers and children with type 2," says Dr. Sennett.
Approximately 800,000 people each year are diagnosed with diabetes and that number is on the rise. Not that long ago, type 2 diabetes affected about five percent of the population, says Dr. Sennett, but by 1995, the figure rose to 7.4 percent. As. Many as 40 million Americans may have diabetes by 2025.
Dr. Jordan Sennett, endocrinologist, Advanced Healthcare
Most important is for the patient to monitor their blood sugar levels at home and report that information back to us, especially if they are not in the normal range. If the patient is willing to work with us and give us the information we need, we can fine tune their medications. This takes a lot of effort on the patient's part, but it is so important because nothing fluctuates in our bodies as much as our blood sugar levels. Everything we do affects it."
|
Why are so many Americans developing this disease? The main culprits may be convenience and fast food diets combined with a tendency to choose sedentary activities such as watching TV or surfing the Internet over exercising and playing outdoors.
Obesity, a condition linked to the likely development of diabetes, affects nearly one-quarter of all adults in the U.S. In the period from 1960 to 1994, the prevalence of obesity increased more than 50 percent, with most of the rise occurring in the last 10 years. The problem touches all Americans: from 1991 to 1998, obesity increased in every state; in both genders; and across all races/ethnicities, age groups, educational levels and smoking statuses.
Tests ordered
When a new patient comes to Dr. Sennett with type 2 diabetes, he orders tests to monitor blood sugar levels and other indicators of conditions that occur as complications with diabetes. One of the most important tests for persons with diabetes is the A1C, a measure of average blood-glucose levels over the last three months. The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) recommends an A1C level of seven percent or lower for people with diabetes. Higher levels indicate an increased chance of developing complications such as kidney, eye or nerve damage.
"The risk of diabetic complications (eye, kidney, nerve) can be reduced by 25 percent of every one percent reduction in A1C levels," explains Dr. Sennett. "It is thus very worthwhile to control glucose."
Because diabetes carries with it the risks of developing other serious health conditions, Dr. Sennett will order tests to determine if there is any possible kidney or heart disease. He will also monitor patients for cholesterol, triglyceride and blood pressure levels.
Treatment plans
Based on the degree of the individual's disease, Dr. Sennett will prescribe a treatment plan that may include insulin. Oral medications may be used to stimulate the pancreas to secrete more insulin, decrease the liver's production of glucose, increase the body's sensitivity to its own insulin and decrease absorption of sugar from the intestine.
Even more so than with many other diseases, the patient plays an important role in the successful treatment of diabetes. Close self-monitoring of blood sugar levels is critical to manage the condition, as is maintaining good communication with his or her physician.
"Most important is for the patient to monitor their blood sugar levels at home and report that information back to us, especially if they are not in the normal range," says Dr. Sennett. "If the patient is willing to work with us and give us the information we need, we can fine tune their medications. This takes a lot of effort on the patient's part, but it is so important because nothing fluctuates in our bodies as much as our blood sugar levels. Everything we do affects it."
The good news is that most cases Dr. Sennett sees have successful outcomes. Today, people with diabetes live longer and are able to lead full, productive lives. By following a diet and exercise program, tracking blood sugar levels, following their insulin and medication protocol and following up with regular physician visits every three or four months, the outlook for most patients is very good.
