If there is anyone in Indian country who has not been touched by Diabetes, we don't know that person. Because it is impossible to cover all disabilities and all issues in any one workshop series, we select for focus in each workshop a few disabilities or concerns that are common in Native American communities.
Diabetes is epidemic. A friend of ours with diabetes describes herself this way,
"When it comes to Diabetes, I am all F's, you know what I mean - fat, over forty and it runs in my family. My mother had it, my uncle has it and now I have it."
Type II diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death among Native Americans. It is not just the diabetes that kills; it is the complications that can come from this illness that lead to death; over 10% of people who have diabetes develop kidney disease, which can lead to kidney failure, also known as renal disease. The risk for leg amputation, is 15-40 times greater for a people with diabetes; amputation rates among Native Americans are three to four times greater than that of the general population. People with diabetes are also at a high risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adulthood. If that isn't enough, some studies also show depression to be higher in people with diabetes.
Reading the list of these conditions may seem overwhelming, but you can correctly manage your diabetes so that none of these complications occur!
Never, never, never give up.
Reduce risk of heart disease
Exercising, eating healthy and sticking to a sugar-free diet, as well as keeping an eye on one’s blood glucose level, can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Reduce the risk of blindness
Go to the eye doctor on a regular basis, at least once a year. Blindness in people with diabetes begins when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels around the retina, which, if left unnoticed and untreated, can cause bleeding and scarring. If caught early, this condition can be treated.
Reduce the risk of kidney disease and amputation
Eating the same amount of food, especially the same amount of carbohydrates, at the same time every day can help to control blood sugar levels. Regular exercise is good, but if there isn’t time to complete a full-fledged workout program, being active in activities such as housework will suffice. Before starting an exercise plan, be sure to consult a doctor first. The doctor may advise checking the blood sugar level before and after exercising and to stop if experiencing faintness. Stop drinking altogether or reduce your alcohol intake. If you do drink, watch the calorie intake and limit the number of drinks you have.
Diabetes Resources