November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

Charles Harris is one of many patients who struggled with diabetes, but has since taken control of his life with help from a diabetes educator at NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx.

Expert Advice: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Diabetes Prevention and Management

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

NYC Health + Hospitals marks National Diabetes Awareness Month with information about this chronic disease that is the leading cause of kidney failure, adult blindness, and lower extremity amputation, and a prime contributor to heart disease and stroke. According to the American Diabetes Association, it’s estimated that 2 million people in New York City are living with diabetes. NYC Health + Hospitals cares for more than 50,000 adults with diabetes, and cares for thousands of other children and adults who are at risk of the disease. Our health care providers focus on disease prevention for those at risk and personalized treatment for those diagnosed with the disease--to help all our patients live their healthiest life.

Charles Harris is one of many patients who struggled with diabetes, but has since taken control of his life with help from a diabetes educator at NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx. Though he took medication, Harris didn’t take the disease seriously and continued with a dangerous lifestyle of smoking, eating fatty foods, consuming sugary drinks, and no exercise that took his weight to more than 350 pounds. His physician at NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx grew concerned and referred him to Miriam Junor, North Central Bronx’s diabetes educator, who was able to get through to him with the hard truth: If he didn’t act, diabetes could kill him. Harris attended diabetes classes at the hospital where he learned about meal planning, portion control, adding fiber to his food plan, taking his medication, how to improve his A1C levels, and getting regular check-ups from his doctors. Harris, who is married and has two daughters, started including more foods like cabbage, carrots, and sweet potatoes in his meals and stopped eating foods like pizza, pancakes, and ice cream. Over the past five years, he has maintained a healthy weight and improved his blood sugar levels.

“I learned what I was up against when it came to my diabetes. Knowing what the disease can do, I slowly and surely took action. I took the bull by the horns, one day at a time. I have a new way of living. This is my life and I want to live it healthy,” said Harris.

“Diabetes is a serious disease and those who are diagnosed with the disease put themselves at higher risk of other serious health conditions, including heart and kidney diseases and complications of the eye,” said Dr. Gayotri Goswami, Site-Director, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx. “Luckily there are several preventative measures people can take to lessen their chances of getting diabetes.”

Dr. Goswami answers frequently asked questions about diabetes prevention and management:

Dr. Gayotri Goswami, Site-Director, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx

1. What is diabetes?

Dr. Goswami: Diabetes is a disease in which there is too much sugar in the blood. Blood sugar – or glucose – is controlled by insulin, a hormone made by the body. After eating, food is broken down into glucose, and insulin allows it to absorb into the bloodstream, cells, and organs of the body. Glucose acts as fuel for the body. If you have diabetes, your body does not make enough insulin, or it does not effectively use the insulin it makes. Symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, extreme hunger, extreme fatigue, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, tingling, pain, or numbness in hands and/or feet, blurred vision, and sores, cuts, or bruises that are slow to heal. Additionally, there are two types of diabetes. In Type 1, the body does not produce insulin; this form of diabetes affects children and young adults. In Type 2, the body does not use insulin properly and cannot make enough of it to control blood sugar; most people diagnosed with diabetes have this form of the disease.

2. Is diabetes preventable?

Dr. Goswami: There are several factors that can increase your chances of getting the disease, including weight gain, family history, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and high blood pressure or cholesterol. However, maintaining a healthy weight, cutting back on foods high in sugar, fat, cholesterol, and salt, drinking plenty of water, reducing alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, exercising at least 30 minutes a day, and getting an annual check-up are all things that can be done to lessen your chances of being diagnosed with diabetes.

3. How can New Yorkers living with diabetes best manage the disease?

Dr. Goswami: It’s important for people living with diabetes to learn about the disease and how it affects their daily life. Basic tips for managing diabetes include talking to and seeing a doctor regularly, taking medications as prescribed by a doctor, eating healthy, exercising regularly, managing your weight, monitoring blood sugar by using a blood glucose meter or “glucometer” as directed by your doctor, keeping blood pressure and cholesterol under control, and getting your eyes, feet, and teeth examined regularly.

Find a NYC Health + Hospitals Diabetes Care Center in your neighborhood.

About Dr. Gayotri Goswami MD, FACE:
Site-Director, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx
Assistant Professor of Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Site-Leader, NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx, 4th year Ambulatory Medicine Clerkship