Thanksgiving is one holiday where eating dinner is the main event of the day, and it ushers in the holiday season, when people tend to over do it with foods high in calories. Which is why November has been declared Diabetes Month by the American Diabetes Association, as a reminder to eat right and exercise.
Diabetes is usually a lifelong, or chronic, disease in which there are high levels of sugar in the blood, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. In the normal process by which a body uses food, a sugar called glucose, enters the bloodstream. An organ called the pancreas makes insulin, which moves the glucose into muscle, fat, and liver cells, where it can be used as fuel.
In a person with diabetes, either the pancreas no longer makes insulin or enough insulin, or the body is unable to use insulin correctly. Symptoms can include blurry vision, excess thirst, fatigue, hunger, frequent urination and weight loss. Untreated over time it can cause blindness, skin sores, circulation breakdown that can lead to loss of feet, and death.
Because it is related to how our bodies process food, what food we put in our bodies is an important part of preventing or coping with the disease.
Dr. Dawn Mannings, staff internist at Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center, said diabetics can eat whatever they want, but it is all about portions and calories.
“When we sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, half of our plate should be vegetables,” Mannings said. “The rest of the plate should be one fourth protein and one fourth starches. A small piece of pumpkin pie won’t cause any harm.”
“A splurge is allowed, but take a brisk walk after Thanksgiving dinner,” Mannings suggested.
Diabetes is widespread in the territory, with Dr. Cora Christian, director of the V.I. Medical Institute reporting that about 25 percent of the population over age 65 has the disease, which is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Mannings said every resident probably knows at least one person who is diabetic. She said there is an increase in adolescent diabetes here because of obesity and sedentary lifestyles.
“People are becoming more knowledgeable and educated about diabetes, going to health fairs and screenings,” Mannings said. “They are making lifestyle changes, learning to eat healthier and exercise 30 minutes a day.”
The test for glucose levels is a simple skin prick and people should definitely have it done, she said. General blood work ordered by doctors includes a glucose test.
A common belief about diabetes is that if you’re diagnosed, you have to end up taking insulin injections for the rest of your life. That’s not true, Mannings, and it’s where education and lifestyle changes (such as watching what you eat on Thanksgiving) come into play.
“The first line of attack is diet and exercise,” Mannings said. “Our goal is not to have to use insulin.”
Mannings said diabetes makes blood vessels weak causing circulation problems and two out of three diabetics’ deaths are caused by heart disease and stroke.
“If we convince and encourage people early on to get tested, eat right and exercise, we won’t get to the end stage of the disease,” she emphasized. She said she is seeing an improvement in patients who are serious about taking care of themselves.
Christian said treatment is easily done and she is passionate about educating people on taking care of themselves.
“It shouldn’t be a health problem because diabetes is something absolutely containable,” according to Christian. “It doesn’t take a doctor to lose weight. It doesn’t take a doctor to cut salt intake. It doesn’t take a doctor to exercise. It starts with people taking care of their own issues.”
