Vim & Vigor - Summer 2013 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - (Page 50)

Manage Your Diabetes and Feel B A family practice physician discusses the resources available near you D iabetes statistics in the United States show an astounding high: 25.8 million children and adults—8.3 percent of the population—have the disease. Diabetes is a serious and life-changing illness, and Phelps County Regional Medical Center (PCRMC) is available to help patients with diabetes management every step of the way. The PCRMC healthcare team offers people who have diabetes the help, knowledge and support they need to reach their goals of feeling better, eating well and staying active. Learn more about diabetes and PCRMC’s available resources from Matthew Hurley, MD, a family practice physician at the PCRMC Bond Clinic. Diabetes basics Diabetes is a disease characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body’s ability to produce and/or use insulin. There are three types: type 1, type 2 and gestational. “Type 1 is insulin-based and is usually diagnosed in childhood,” Dr. Hurley says. “Type 2 typically occurs later in life and can be treated with oral medication. Gestational affects pregnant women; after the baby is delivered, the diabetes goes away, though may recur later in life.” Symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst and hunger, frequent urination, fatigue and irritability. “Someone with undiagnosed diabetes may either become very sick or not show any symptoms at all,” Dr. Hurley says. “However, if someone has any of the symptoms of diabetes, he or she should make an appointment with their healthcare provider right away to be screened.” Gestational diabetes often does not present with symptoms, so pregnant women are screened as part of their prenatal care. Matthew Hurley, MD, performs exams to screen for diabetes and also to help people manage the disease. 50 Su m m e r 2 013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Summer 2013 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2013 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center
Contents
Opening Thoughts
A Call to Serve
Get Back in the Game
Saving Brain
The Ultimate Back-to-School Checklist
Join the Movement
Stroke Stories
5 Steps to Better Bone Health
Gut Instinct
Morgan Freeman
Prostate Playbook
The Main Ingredient
Looking Ahead
Virtual Health
Manage Your Diabetes and Feel Better
Extraordinary Nurses
Foundation
Auxiliary

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2013 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center