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March 11, 2002
Understanding the March 23
American Diabetes Alert
College of Nursing faculty experts provide advice
for evaluation and treatment of DiabetesNear
epidemic proportions: Type 2 diabetes occurs when
the body cannot make enough and/or use insulin
properly. This disease is increasing at an
unprecedented rate. Reported cases rose 43
percent from 1990 to 2000. The increase is due
largely to lack of exercise and poor eating
habits. According to Intercollegiate College of
Nursing/WSU College of Nursing Assistant
Professor Dr. Cynthia Corbett, moderate and
sensible lifestyle changes, such as reducing fat
intake and initiating a walking program are the
first steps to preventing diabetes. Major risk
factors include family history, being overweight
and infrequent physical activity.
For the over six million people who have diabetes
but have not yet been diagnosed, it is important
to know the three classic symptoms of the
disease: excessive thirst, frequent urination and
unexplained weight loss. If you feel you are at
risk, a simple test by a health care professional
using a drop of blood from a fingertip can give
an accurate and quick answer. For assistance in
reaching Corbett, corbett@wsu.edu, contact Susan
Nielsen, College of Nursing communications
director, at (509) 324-7372,
susann@wsu.edu.Managing Your Diabetes—Be
the Team Captain: Strong self-management of type
2 diabetes allows those with the disease to live
healthy, normal lives. People with diabetes must
know the values of three important tests: A1c,
blood pressure and cholesterol. Healthy low-fat
eating and daily activity, such as walking, can
greatly improve the values on all three of these
tests. Many people may also take medications to
control blood sugar, blood pressure and
cholesterol.
Intercollegiate College of Nursing/WSU College of
Nursing Assistant Professor Dr. Cynthia Corbett
strongly suggests persons with diabetes learn as
much as possible through formal diabetes
education. She recommends the disease be managed
through a team approach. However, because blood
glucose control is affected by every day
activities such as eating, physical activity and
stress, Corbett stresses the person with diabetes
must be the team captain. Her research shows a
high number of people with diabetes are woefully
undereducated about their disease and their own
health. Knowledge of test values and appropriate
foot care, crucial health-promoting behaviors,
were lacking among the majority of research
participants. For assistance in reaching Corbett,
corbett@wsu.edu,
contact Susan Nielsen, College of Nursing
communications director, at (509) 324-7372,
susann@wsu.edu.
Complications of Diabetes are Extensive: Diabetes
is a metabolism disorder that, left untreated,
can adversely affect nearly every organ and
function in the body. Heart disease is the
leading cause of diabetes related deaths. The
risk of stroke is two to four times higher in
people with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is the
leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults
aged 20 to 74. Other complications include high
blood pressure, end-stage renal disease, nervous
system disease, and a myriad of other related
health problems. Nationally, $98 billion is spent
annually on direct and indirect costs of
diabetes. In Washington state, the annual cost is
$2 billion.
Diabetics can avoid the high risk factors for
these wide-ranging complications. According to
Intercollegiate College of Nursing/WSU College of
Nursing Certified Diabetes Educator Laura
Wintersteen. Positive lifestyle choices and an
individual care plan can improve the long-term
health of diabetics. For assistance in reaching
Wintersteen, LLNL41@aol.com,
contact Susan Nielsen, College of Nursing
communications director, at (509) 324-7372,
susann@wsu.edu.
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