Diabetes What Employers Need to Know

Rhonda K. Carr, RD, LD, CDE

Midland Memorial Hospital

Diabetes and Nutrition Learning Center

What is Diabetes?

• What is diabetes? • Insulin – shortage or inability to use insulin

• Three types of diabetes:

• Type 1

• Type 2

• Gestational Diabetes

What are the numbers?

• 25.8 million Americans have diabetes (8.3%) . Of these, 7.0 million are undiagnosed.

• In Texas the rate is 9.7%. In Midland County ~13,000-14,000 people

• If current trends continue, 1 in 3 U.S. adults will have diabetes by 2050

CDC: Diabetes at a Glance 2011

What are the costs?

• Annual economic cost of diabetes in 2007 was $174 billion

• Direct medical costs in 2007: $116 billion

• Indirect costs (related to disability, work loss, premature death) in 2007: $58 billion

CDC: Diabetes at a Glance 2011

Why so costly?

• Among adults, diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of• Blindness• Kidney failure• Amputations – not related to accidents or injury

• On average, medical expenses for a person with diagnosed diabetes are more than double the expenses of a person without diabetes.

Who is at risk for Type 2 DM?

• Age - Over 30 years of age and overweight or over 45

• Obesity and physical inactivity

• Family history of Type 2 DM

• Personal history of gestational diabetes

• Hispanic/Latino, African American, American Indian or Asian American heritage

CDC: Diabetes at a Glance 2011

What are the warning signs?

• Excessive thirst or hunger

• Frequent urination

• Extreme weakness or fatigue

Texas Diabetes Council

Warning signs?

• Cuts or sores that are slow to heal

• Blurred vision

• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

• Frequent infections (skin, dental, or urinary tract infections)

Texas Diabetes Council

How can the Diabetes Center at MMH help you and your employees?

•Education

7 Healthcare Behaviors

• Being Active

• Healthy Eating

• Medication Taking

• Monitoring Blood Glucose

• Problem Solving

• Reducing Risk

• Living with Diabetes

American Association of Diabetes Educators

Being Active

• Improves cholesterol• Reduces stress• Prevents osteoporosis• Lowers blood glucose• Helps with sleep• Boosts the immune

system• Weight management

Healthy Eating

• Change habits

• Learn to read labels/carb count

• Eat less fat and choose better fat

• Lose weight if needed

• Consider vending options

Taking Medications

• Expensive medications

• Multiple medications

• Insulin or other injectable medications

• Side effects of medications

Monitoring Your Blood Glucose

• Meters & Supplies• When• What does it tell you?• Keep a log and take to

your doctor

Problem Solve

• Use BG numbers to problem solve• Food/carbohydrate• Exercise• Medication• Stress• Illness

Reducing Risk

• Short Term Complications

• Low blood sugar

• High blood sugar

Long Term Complications

• Vision

• Kidneys

• Feet – pain, numbness, wounds

• Heart

• Emotional health – depression, anxiety, stress

• Sexual dysfunction

Check your feet daily

Check for cuts, blisters, red spots, swelling

ingrown toenails and foot ulcers.

Know your ABC’s

• A – A1C

• B – Blood Pressure

• C - Cholesterol

Diabetes and Nutrition Learning Center

• Medical Nutrition Therapy – 1 to 1 visit with a registered dietitian – Medicare covers 3 hours per year

• Diabetes Self Management Classes• Series of 3 classes plus an individualized

assessment of learning needs

• Offer instruction in Spanish

Call 522-3045