Diabetes

The two major types of diabetes are Type I and Type 2.

Type 1 is an autoimmune disease in which the body does not produce any insulin, most often occurring in children and young adults. People with this type of diabetes must take insulin injections daily in order to stay alive. Siblings of people and children of parents with type 1 diabetes are at the greatest risk for type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder resulting -from the body not making enough or properly using the insulin it (the body) has produced. This type of diabetes (type 2) counts for 90 - 95 percent of diabetes. Due to an increased number of older Americans, and a greater prevalence of obesity and a inactive lifestyle, type 2 diabetes is nearing widespread proportions.

Diabetes Detective:	Examining the Evidence Diabetes Animation (requires Flash Player)
	Uncovering the Complications (requires Flash Player)

Click here for directions to the department on the Sayre Campus

Attention Patients of Dr. Lee or Homan:

If you are using insulin and have been asked to send your blood glucose levels to the Guthrie Diabetes Center - you can now do this online!
Click here!

Click here to download directions for the online glucose monitoring form.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not properly use insulin, a hormone that is produced by the pancreas and is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy. Although genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play a role, the cause of diabetes is still a mystery.

In the United States there are approximately 15.7 million people (or 5.9 percent of the U.S. population) who have diabetes. Only 10.3 million have been diagnosed, while 5.4 million people are not aware that they have the disease. In this year about 798,000 people will be diagnosed with diabetes, while more than 187,000 people will die from this
chronic disease which has no cure.

Diabetes

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More Information on this Topic

Download a Risk Assessment!

People who are at greater risk for type 2 diabetes are:

People over 45
People with a family history of diabetes
People who are overweight People who do not exercise regularly
People with low HDL or high triglycerides
Certain racial and ethnic groups (African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans)
Women who had gestational diabetes, a form of diabetes occurring in 2 - 5 percent of all pregnancies or who have had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth

Many people are not aware that they have diabetes until they develop one of these life-threatening conditions:

Blindness - Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in people ages 20-74, and each year 12,000 to 24, 000 people lose their sight because of diabetes.

Kidney Disease - Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease ( or kidney failure), accounting for about 40 percent of new cases. N 1995, about 27, 900 people began treatment for end stage renal disease
because of diabetes.

Nerve Disease and Amputations - About 60-70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage, which can lead to lower limb amputations, in severe forms. In fact, diabetes is the most frequent cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations.

Heart Disease and Stroke - People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease which is present in 75 percent of diabetes-related deaths ( more than 77,000 deaths due to heart disease annually). They are also two to four times more likely to suffer a stroke.

What are the Warning Signs of Diabetes?

Frequent Urination
Unusual Thirst
Extreme Hunger
Blurred Vision
Extreme Fatigue
Unexplained Weight Loss
Irritability Nausea and Vomiting
Itching
Tingling Numbness in Hands/Feet
Disturbances is Sleep Patterns
Recurring Skin, Gum, Bladder, or Vaginal Infections

Guthrie Diabetes Management and Education Center
The Diabetes Management and Education Center at Guthrie Clinic was created to provide people with a resource to aid in the effective management of diabetes. The complications of diabetes can take a variety of forms. Guthrie Clinic's Diabetes Center offers 24-hour accessibility to endocrinologists, and the Center's staff will work with your family physician to keep your diabetes under control, while forwarding all Center reports to your physician. Guthrie Clinic's team philosophy of diabetes management with on-site specialists means comprehensive care at all times.

Who can Benefit from the Center?
All People with Type 1, Type 11 or Gestational Diabetes can gain knowledge for self management of their disease. Anyone who's been told they have Impaired Glucose Tolerance or "a touch of sugar" can find out what this means and how to take care of it. If you have an insulin pump or are interested in one, you can benefit from this program. Family and friends are encouraged to attend with the participant.

What can Guthrie Diabetes Center do for you?

We will help you prevent both short and long-term complications of diabetes
Aid you in the management of your diabetes by increasing your ability to make changes in your behavior
Develop skills for healthy eating strategies
Establish an appointment schedule for you that will help you improve your diabetes self-management
Give you access to a team member with expertise in diabetes to answer your questions
Provide 24-hour telephone access for reporting of your home blood glucose levels. A team member will contact you within 24 hours