What is diabetes?

View Video

Diabetes is a disease in which the body has a shortage of insulin or a decreased ability to use insulin, a hormone that allows glucose (sugar) to enter cells and be converted to energy. When diabetes is not controlled, glucose and fats remain in the blood and, over time, damage blood vessels and vital organs.

Did you know?

• In Volusia County, it is estimated that more than 40,000 residents have diabetes
• 95,000 to 100,000 residents have pre-diabetes, a condition that places them at risk for diabetes.
• 25 percent of people with diabetes are not aware that they have this condition.
• 1 out of every 4 adults 60 years of age or older has diabetes
• Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults, kidney failure, and
  amputations.
• Heart disease death rates are 2 - 4 times higher in adults with diabetes.
• The risk for stroke is 2 - 4 times higher in adults with diabetes.

Who is at risk?
You have a higher risk for diabetes if:

• You are 45 years of age or older
• You have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes
• You are overweight (especially if the extra weight is around your waist)
• Your family background is African American, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian American
• Your blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, or you have been told you have high blood pressure
• Your HDL (good cholesterol) is below 35 or your triglycerides level is above 250
• You are fairly inactive (exercising less than three times a week)
• You had diabetes while you were pregnant (gestational diabetes) or gave birth to a baby
  weighing more than 9 pounds
• You are a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome, also called PCOS
  

What are the symptoms?

• Increased appetite
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Increased urination
• Increased thirst

What are the types of diabetes?

• Type 1 diabetes usually strikes children and young adults, although the disease can appear at
  any age. There is no known way to prevent this type of diabetes.
• Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95% of diabetes cases and most often appears in people older
  than 40. Type 2 diabetes is associated with older age, being overweight, having a family history
  of diabetes, having a history of gestational diabetes (high blood sugar that starts or is first
  diagnosed during pregnancy), impaired glucose metabolism, and physical inactivity.
• Pre-diabetes is a condition in which individuals have blood glucose levels higher than normal
  but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. People with this condition have an increased
  risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

What can I do?

• If you have any risk factors for diabetes, you should discuss them and
  possible testing for diabetes with your doctor at your next appointment.
• If you have any of the signs or symptoms of diabetes, you should talk to your
  doctor as soon as possible so that testing can be arranged.
• If tests show that you have diabetes, you should ask your doctor for information about diabetes,
  medical treatment, self-care, and a referral to a Diabetes Education Program.
• If you find that you have pre-diabetes, you should ask your doctor for information on this
  condition and suggestions for lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk of developing diabetes.

What tests should I have?
Everyone 45 years of age or older should have their blood glucose checked at least every 3 years.
More frequent testing may be advisable for individuals with any of the other risk factors listed
above. Discuss this with your doctor.

What do the numbers mean?

Ask your doctor about these tests and ask for your blood glucose numbers. It is important to find
out early if you have pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes, because early treatment can prevent the
serious problems caused by high blood glucose.

What else should I know?

• People with pre-diabetes who lose a modest amount of weight (5 - 7%) and
  increase their physical activity (an average of 30 minutes per day for 5 days
  each week) can prevent or delay diabetes.
• For individuals who have diabetes, good control of blood glucose and other
  risk factors (e.g., high blood pressure and high LDL cholesterol) can prevent
  or delay the onset of serious long-term complications.
• Local resources and professionals are available to help people with diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Local Resources

Diabetes Education Programs

Halifax Health Medical Center, Center for Diabetes Education
Kim Koevenig, RD, LD/N, CDE
(386) 258-4829
www.halifaxhealth.org

Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, Diabetes Center
Joan Royal, BSN, RN, CDE
(386) 231-3178
www.floridahospitalmemorial.org

Florida Hospital Deland, Diabetes Education Program
Florida Hospital Fish Memorial
Joyce Parrillo, RN, CDE
(386) 943-4727
www.fhdeland.org

Bert Fish Medical Center, Diabetes Center
Sherry Lee, RN, CDE
(386) 424-5067
www.bertfish.com

Diabetes Support Groups

Bert Fish Medical Center
Held at BFMC Wound Care Center
(386) 424-5067
www.bertfish.com

Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center
(386) 231-3178
www.floridahospitalmemorial.org

Florida Hospital Deland and Florida Hospital Fish Memorial
(386) 943-4727
www.fhdeland.org

Halifax Health Medical Center
Center for Endocrinology
(386) 258-4940
www.halifaxhealth.org

Partners
O’Neill Foundation for Community Health
Volusia County Health Department
Bert Fish Medical Center
Florida Hospital DeLand
Florida Hospital Fish Memorial
Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center
Halifax Health Hospice of Volusia Flagler
Halifax Health Medical Center of Daytona Beach
Halifax Health Medical Center of Port Orange
The Council on Aging of Volusia County
Bethune-Cookman University
Daytona State College
Stetson University
ElderSource
Florida Department of Elder Affairs

Taking the Initiative on Diabetes is endorsed
by the Volusia County Medical Society

For more information, please visit:
www.oneillcommunityhealth.org