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About Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body is unable to produce
insulin or use it properly. Without insulin, the body cannot take glucose
from food and use it for energy. Diabetes cannot be cured but it can be
managed, especially if it is diagnosed and treated early.
Type 1
The body does not make insulin
Type 2
The body does not make enough insulin or insulin does not work properly
Gestational diabetes
The body does not make enough insulin or insulin does not work properly
during pregnancy
Pre-diabetes
The body does not make enough insulin or insulin does not work properly.
At this stage, the blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high
enough to be diagnosed with diabetes
Statistics
The following statistics were obtained from the American Diabetes
Association, Texas Diabetes Council, and Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
National
- 6th leading cause of death in the United States (2004)
- 20.8 million Americans have diabetes o 6.2 million are unaware they
have diabetes
- 206,000 are under the age of 20
Texas
- 6th leading cause of death in Texas (2004)
- 8% of Texans have diabetes
- 1.3 million are aware they have diabetes
- 418,134 more are unaware
Signs and Symptoms
The more signs and symptoms a person has, the greater the probability
they have diabetes. The signs and symptoms to look for are:
- Extreme thirst or hunger
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Weight loss without trying
- Dry, itchy skin
- Slow healing sores or cuts
- Loss of feeling or tingling in feet
- Blurry vision
- Frequent infections
Early detection and treatment can help a person with diabetes live a
longer and healthier life. If you think you may be at risk of developing
diabetes, ask your doctor to test you for the disease right away.
Health Education
Programs
Williamson County & Cities Health District (WCCHD) offers health
education programs through its Living Well and Healthy section which targets
adults with diabetes and their families. All programs are offered in English
and Spanish, are free to the public, and are provided at various locations
throughout the County. Current programs are:
Diabetes Self-Management Education
Diabetes Self-Management Education teaches adults how to
effectively manage their disease and maintain optimal health.
Classes meet once a week for six weeks and each class is
approximately an hour and a half. Topics covered include:
- What is Diabetes
- Diabetes and Diet
- Managing Blood Glucose
- Diabetes and Exercise
- Tips for Eating Out
- Preventing Complications
Upon completion of the program, participants receive a
certificate stating they have successfully completed the
Diabetes Self-Management Education program. Childcare is not
provided.
View the
Diabetes Self-Management Education brochure.
Please contact the Health Educator for additional information or
to register for a series:
Billye Navarro, LMSW
512-248-3252
1-800-890-6296
Diabetes Support Group
Diabetes Support Group is a program offered to adults with
diabetes.
Classes meet once a month for approximately an hour. Class
topics vary and are guided by the personal needs of
participants. General topics include issues of stress and
depression.
Childcare is not provided.
Please contact the Health Educator for additional information or
to register for a series:
Billye Navarro, LMSW
512-248-3252
1-800-890-6296
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