Features
Diabetes control requires commitment, strategy
Related Photos
-
PHOTO PROVIDED | DRAELOS METABOLIC CENTER Dr. Matthew Draelos meets with a staff member at the Draelos Metabolic Center. The center offers personalized diabetes management plans.
Discussion
Add a comment on this storyTools
EDMOND — When you have diabetes, it can seem like all the world’s a candy store, and you’re on the outside with your nose pressed to the window.
Yet it’s awareness — not deprivation — that is the key to controlling your diabetes, said Dr. Matthew Draelos, board certified endocrinologist and owner of the Draelos Metabolic Center in Edmond.
“Knowledge is the key to helping people with diabetes control their disease,” he said. “When a person truly understands what diabetes is, how it affects them physically and emotionally, and how to properly handle the ups and downs of diabetes self-management, their health significantly improves.”
Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and millions more have the disease without being aware of it. Of those who have been diagnosed, about half do not have their disease under good control.
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart disease, blindness, heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, kidney failure and significant neuropathy (nerve damage), which often results in amputation of the feet and legs.
Effective diabetes control requires a strong commitment from the patient and strong collaboration with a diabetes specialist, as well as a diabetes educator and/or registered dietitian. It is important to develop an appropriate eating and exercise plan, as well as a plan for appropriate overall lifestyle changes, for each individual.
New diabetes patients at the Draelos Metabolic Center are thoroughly evaluated, both through physical exams and extensive questioning about their diet and lifestyle habits.
“Understanding a patient’s past medical history and how they are currently managing their diabetes is very important if we are to help them gain better control,” said Karon Potter, a certified diabetes educator who counsels Draelos Metabolic Center patients on diabetes management. “We take into account each patient’s individual health goals, lifestyle and living situation when recommending treatment regimens.”
Old myths — such as that people with diabetes can never eat sugar — still persist. Potter explained that’s why it is important to ensure patients are briefed on the latest information about the disease and its care.
“There is no ‘diabetic diet’ per se,” Potter said. “The healthiest diet for people with type 2 diabetes is the same diet that’s best for everyone — eating a wide variety of foods every day, including items from all the major food groups on the Food Pyramid.” Where most people fall short, she said, is in their consistency, portion control and timing.
“If you have diabetes, you need to eat about the same amount every day and at about the same times every day,” Draelos said. “You should never skip meals or go for more than four or five hours during the day without eating.”
In addition, he said, people raised on “super-sized” meals often have trouble downsizing their portions. A healthy serving of meat, for instance, is about the size of a deck of cards, while a serving of pasta should be no more than about half the size of a tennis ball.
With the help of your team, you can learn to avoid common pitfalls and temptations by planning ahead for things like parties or special events.
“People with diabetes need to work with their health-care team to understand how food and exercise affect their blood sugar control and other health parameters,” Potter said. “What works for another person with diabetes may not work for you. Once you know how you are individually affected, then you can make diet and exercise choices that help maintain better control of the disease and your overall health.”
The support of family and friends is critical for anyone struggling with a chronic illness, and it is doubly so for people with diabetes. Draelos recommends talking to family and friends so that they can become aware and supportive of your diabetes control efforts. If you can’t find the support you need in family or friends, local and online support groups and organizations like the American Diabetes Association can be great sources of help.
- Features
-
-
Money as a god becomes a tyrant
We sometimes hear that America is a Christian nation, and certainly there is a sliver of truth in this statement since our republic was undeniably founded on Judeo-Christian principles.
-
Denounce extremism, not religion
There’s an e-mail floating around the Internet claiming to show that Barack Obama is a Muslim.
It shows video evidence of Obama speaking, and it uses what it portrays as his own words to show that he is somehow less than a loyal American. -
Pets require proper dental care for health
STILLWATER — There may be cause for concern if pet owners notice their four-legged friends have yucky doggie breath.
If you notice your pet’s breath is offensive, it might signify a serious health concern, said Dr. Carolynn MacAllister, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension veterinarian.
“Responsible pet owners take care of their pets by feeding them, exercising them and taking them to the veterinarian for an annual checkup. Unfortunately, some pet owners overlook the care of their pet’s teeth,” MacAllister said. “Proper dental care is just as important for pets as it is for humans.” -
Behavior modification for the bored dog
Q: We have a 2-year-old miniature Australian Shepherd named Sally that is home alone for eight to nine hours every day. She finds something to get on or chew up almost every day. She gets on the window seat and chews on the blind cords or cushions, or on the coffee table and chews on or breaks whatever she can get to. I do worry about her getting bored during the day, but we both work. What would you recommend we do to help her pass the time without getting bored?
-
Enough of all this winter weather
No more nice guy. My pansies and I have had all the global warming we can take. It’ll be a miracle if they survive another ice storm, and my own longevity’s not all that secure either.
-
Retreat ideal for scrapbookers
If you’re a cut-up, have I got a place for you! The Scrappin’ Pad south of Tahlequah was created with scrapbookers in mind.
This is a bed and breakfast with a niche. Christi Bowlin caters to the gals who glue. (OK, I know most scrapbookers wouldn’t touch a glue stick, but that phrase was just too euphonious to pass up.) -
Teens don’t ring bells, they TOA (text on arrival)
NEW YORK (AP) — Planet Teenager, where I unfortunately live, is a busy and surprising place.
On this planet, kids come and go at all hours, but nobody ever rings a bell or knocks on a door. Nobody calls to warn, “I’m on my way.” Nobody beeps a horn to say, “Your ride is here.” -
No more saying no!
Dear Mr. Dad: I feel like when I spend time with my 2-year-old, I’m constantly telling him “no!” Is there some way I can enforce boundaries without being so negative?
A: It’s no wonder that one of the first words kids learn to say is, No. After all, it’s the word they hear the most — even more than mommy, daddy, or their own name. -
Officials urge caution on tree repair
The ice and snow has not yet gone away, but already state forestry officials with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry have heard that out-of-state private contractors are on their way to solicit jobs pruning or removing damaged trees.
-
Online directory targets eastern red cedar
OKLAHOMA CITY — A new directory for eastern red cedar, one of the most challenging plant species in Oklahoma, was announced this week.
The eastern red cedar is a native tree of Oklahoma, but the tree that was once limited to rocky bluffs, deep canyons and other fire-free areas has now grown out of control. - More Features Headlines
-
Money as a god becomes a tyrant
