In December of 2015 an average of 8.1% of Texans had prediabetes and 11.0% had diabetes,
there were approximately 5,260 deaths caused by diabetes in the state of Texas, and Medicaid
spent more than $280 million on patients with diabetes (Texas Department of State Health
Services). Why are these numbers so high? There are common misconceptions relating to
diabetes and diabetic care, and many people have false beliefs in this disease and medical care,
even those who have the disease. A study was funded by the National Institute on Aging and the
Center for the Study of Health Beliefs and Behavior. The study interviewed patients who had
long-standing diabetes, meaning that they had had diabetes for an average of 13 years and were
regular …show more content…
Fifty-six percent of the participants believed that
their blood glucose was too high only when it was >200 mg/dl. (Normal blood glucose for a
person without diabetes is <100 mg/dl upon awakening, and >140 mg/dl two hours after meals
(Diabetes Self-Management)) Also, twenty-three percent believed that they did not have to take
their medication if their blood glucose levels were normal that day (ADA Diabetes Care).
Many people and diabetic patients believe that their diabetes does not have severe adverse effects
on their overall health. This is a dangerous misconception. When someone has type 1 diabetes
their body stops producing insulin, which is what regulates blood sugar in the body. With type 2
diabetes their body doesn’t properly use insulin that is made in the body. Without controlling
these issues people with either type of diabetes commonly experience hypertension, which is
high blood pressure, a higher risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, impaired memory, high
cholesterol, increased heart rate, retinopathy, which is damage to the eye, neuropathy, which is
numbness, tingling, or weakness in the limbs, and kidney failure among the worst of the effects
(Prevention: …show more content…
No matter which type of diabetes a person has, if they neglect to treat
themselves they will suffer the adverse effects of uncontrolled diabetes, which will land them in
the emergency room. For every 1,000 people hospitalized with diabetes, 27 had preventable
hospitalizations due to neglecting their treatment (ADA Diabetes Care). What do these patients
see when they go into a hospital? Of course they are regularly screened for diabetes when they
are admitted, but they also screen the patient for smoking and educate them on smoking
cessation. Why are patients not nearly as educated on the risks of their diets and lifestyles as they
are about smoking? Also in school children are warned against the dangers of drugs and alcohol,
which is certainly incredibly important, but why aren’t they also thoroughly educated on their
diets and exercise? Is that why we’ve seen an increase in childhood diabetes? In the next 40
years the number of youth with type 1 diabetes is expected to increase by forty-nine
there were approximately 5,260 deaths caused by diabetes in the state of Texas, and Medicaid
spent more than $280 million on patients with diabetes (Texas Department of State Health
Services). Why are these numbers so high? There are common misconceptions relating to
diabetes and diabetic care, and many people have false beliefs in this disease and medical care,
even those who have the disease. A study was funded by the National Institute on Aging and the
Center for the Study of Health Beliefs and Behavior. The study interviewed patients who had
long-standing diabetes, meaning that they had had diabetes for an average of 13 years and were
regular …show more content…
Fifty-six percent of the participants believed that
their blood glucose was too high only when it was >200 mg/dl. (Normal blood glucose for a
person without diabetes is <100 mg/dl upon awakening, and >140 mg/dl two hours after meals
(Diabetes Self-Management)) Also, twenty-three percent believed that they did not have to take
their medication if their blood glucose levels were normal that day (ADA Diabetes Care).
Many people and diabetic patients believe that their diabetes does not have severe adverse effects
on their overall health. This is a dangerous misconception. When someone has type 1 diabetes
their body stops producing insulin, which is what regulates blood sugar in the body. With type 2
diabetes their body doesn’t properly use insulin that is made in the body. Without controlling
these issues people with either type of diabetes commonly experience hypertension, which is
high blood pressure, a higher risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, impaired memory, high
cholesterol, increased heart rate, retinopathy, which is damage to the eye, neuropathy, which is
numbness, tingling, or weakness in the limbs, and kidney failure among the worst of the effects
(Prevention: …show more content…
No matter which type of diabetes a person has, if they neglect to treat
themselves they will suffer the adverse effects of uncontrolled diabetes, which will land them in
the emergency room. For every 1,000 people hospitalized with diabetes, 27 had preventable
hospitalizations due to neglecting their treatment (ADA Diabetes Care). What do these patients
see when they go into a hospital? Of course they are regularly screened for diabetes when they
are admitted, but they also screen the patient for smoking and educate them on smoking
cessation. Why are patients not nearly as educated on the risks of their diets and lifestyles as they
are about smoking? Also in school children are warned against the dangers of drugs and alcohol,
which is certainly incredibly important, but why aren’t they also thoroughly educated on their
diets and exercise? Is that why we’ve seen an increase in childhood diabetes? In the next 40
years the number of youth with type 1 diabetes is expected to increase by forty-nine