December 15, 2005
Diabetes staff. Back row: Gail Corkern, Family Nurse Practioner, Emmeline Brown, R.N., Clinical Educator, Lorraine Gill, Dietitian, Clinical Educator, Delaine Davis, R.N., Diabetes Coordinator, Pete Christian, R.N. Front row: Kim Jung, Outreach.
Diabetes increased 27 percent in the past five years according to the state epidemiology office. 21,024 adult Alaskans reported they had been diagnosed with diabetes in 2004. Half of American Indians and Alaska Natives born in 2000 will develop this disease if the trend isn't reversed says Julien Naylor, M.D., director of the Alaska Native Medical Center's diabetes program.
Less physical activity, unhealthy food choices and large meal portions are affecting Alaskans as well as the rest of the country, according to Naylor. Programs to address diabetes in Alaska Native populations have been started throughout the state. Nutrition campaigns and summer activity programs for children are a good defense against this growing epidemic.
"These alarming statistics show that we need to try harder to spread the word that diabetes is serious but controllable and preventable," says Abdel Al- Shaar, M.D., of YKHC. "We want to work with national, state and local programs to change the way diabetes is treated in this country. The key to prevention is to be physically active and eat healthy. Don't gain weight. Better yet, lose a few pounds," he said.
A person with diabetes does not make or properly use the hormone insulin. Insulin helps convert sugar starches and other food into energy. Blood sugar rises and can cause death, but more frequently leads to complications that cause death. Diabetic complications include blindness, amputations, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, sexual dysfunction and dental problems.
The YKHC Diabetes Prevention and Control program is a federally funded grant through the Indian Health Service. This grant provides for education, prevention and control of diabetes and diabetes related problems. Some of the services provided by the program in Bethel and the YK Delta region are: individual counseling, medical nutrition therapy, gestational diabetes management, senior citizen programs, intensive diabetes management clinic, advanced training for community health aides, community and village-based programs and medical provider consultant. The staff includes RNs, dietitian, medical provider, exercise specialist and outreach personnel.
Kongiganak, Kwigillingok, Napakiak, Tuluksak, Akiak and Chuathbaluk have all been visited in the past several weeks. The team has been working in Bethel with PATC, the Fire Station, KUC, Senior Center, schools and other community organizations to provide diabetes prevention education and activities.
For more information on Diabetes or to get a speaker for your organization, call the Diabetes Program at 1-800-543-6133
TIPS
Medical: Reminder -- Bring all of your medications (including non-prescription) to your provider appointments. Also bring your meter and book if you are doing blood sugar test monitoring.
Exercise -- Did you know that adding 2000 steps a day (about a mile) to your usual routine could keep you from ever gaining another pound?
Nutrition -- Do you eat more on weekends? The average person eats 85 more calories a day on the weekend. That adds up to 2 1/2 pounds a year. Or, 25 pounds in 10 years!
HEALTHY RECIPE
Comfort Cabbage
Lots of Vitamin C, Folacin, 2 grams of fiber and only 51 calories!
1 onion
1 teaspoon olive oil
3 cups sliced cabbage
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
Heat oil in large frying pan. Add onions and cook until light brown. Add sliced cabbage, salt, black pepper and caraway seeds. Stir and cook for 30 minutes.