U.P. Diabetes Outreach Network (UPDON)

UPDON has been nationally recognized for improving diabetes care and outcomes across the U.P. of Michigan.

Today UPDON:

• Works to ensure that cost-effective diabetes prevention, detection, treatment, supplies and support services are available and funded across the U.P.
• Strives to help Upper Peninsula residents eat better, move more and not smoke in order to prevent diabetes & complications related to diabetes.
• Maintains a U.P. wide diabetes coalition to enhance collaboration and to identify and address gaps in diabetes related services.
• Works with health care professionals to help strengthen knowledge of diabetes treatment issues and delivery of care.

Prediabetes: Currently 1 out of 3 adults and 50% of seniors have prediabetes, a condition that often leads to type 2 diabetes, if not treated. In addition, 90% do NOT know that they have prediabetes.  Lifestyle changes (weight loss and being active most days of the week) can help prevent type 2 diabetes.  Steps include:

• Know your risk factors (overweight, family history of diabetes, not active, over age 45)
• Ask you health care doctor to check your fasting blood glucose (no eating for 8 hours). Recheck on another day if over 100mg/dL.
• If blood glucose is 100 to 125 mg/dL, take action NOW to prevent type 2 ; this is prediabetes. Join a Diabetes Prevention Program, weight loss program or make an appointment with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

Type 2 Diabetes: Most people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes, which is linked to our lifestyle. Overeating, not getting enough physical activity, smoking and not getting enough sleep are all related to the development of type 2 diabetes. Making some eating and physical activity changes, along with medication or insulin, if needed will help control type 2 diabetes. People with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes have more strokes, heart attacks, vision loss, kidney damage and foot and leg amputations than people without diabetes.  Type 2 diabetes can be prevented; people may also have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes for several years before it is detected. Work with your health care team to control your blood pressure, lipids and blood glucose to stay healthy.

Type 1 Diabetes: About 5% of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes have to use insulin everyday. It can not be prevented and is not caused by what we eat.  Like type 2 diabetes, serious complications can occur if it is not controlled. Work with your health care team to control your blood pressure, lipids and blood glucose to stay healthy.

Gestational Diabetes: This is diabetes that develops in about 6% of pregnancies. Testing for diabetes during pregnancy is recommended at about 24 weeks; some women may need to checked earlier. Controlling blood sugars during pregnancy when the woman has diabetes is important for the health of the baby. Food changes, medication and/or insulin may be needed.

Blog – Yooper Diabetes Talk

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