Diabetes What Employers Need to Know Rhonda K. Carr, RD, LD, CDE Midland Memorial Hospital Diabetes...

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