High blood sugar, or diabetes, is a serious illness that affects nearly one in ten adults in Wisconsin. High blood sugar is when your body cannot process sugar the way it should, so the level in your blood is higher than normal. High blood sugar can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and other major problems. The good news is that with attention and care, you can manage this illness and live a happy and healthy life.
There are three main types of high blood sugar, but type two is the most common. This type usually affects adults, but younger people can also get it. Since the signs can be mild at first, people often do not know they have it. “If you have a close family member with high blood sugar, you are at higher risk for this illness. Other risk factors are overweight, being 45 years or older, and lack of exercise,” says Paige Dorsey, Nurse Practitioner at Family Health La Clinica Wautoma. “Those who are high risk should get their blood sugar tested each year and take steps now to prevent high blood sugar.”
Taking action to prevent high blood sugar is one of the best things you can do, even if you are healthy. 34% of adults in Wisconsin have prediabetes. This means they are at risk for high blood sugar because their levels are higher than normal. Like with type two, the signs for prediabetes are not always clear. The CDC reports that one in five children and one in four young adults live with prediabetes. This shows that high blood sugar can start at a young age, so it is important to begin healthy habits early. People of all ages can make changes to their diet and activity to prevent high blood sugar.
The same way you prevent high blood sugar is also how to best control it. A good plan includes eating healthy, moving your body often, and taking medicine to control your blood sugar. The key is to eat a mix of whole foods like vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. Eat less refined sugars and processed foods like candy and sweets, added sugars in food and drinks, white bread and other pastries, white rice, and pasta and cereals that are not whole grain. For activity, the goal is to get your heart rate up for at least two and a half hours each week for at least 10 minutes at a time. It is ok to start small and build your level over time. Healthy eating and being active will help you keep a healthy weight. Staying in shape will help control your blood sugar.
High blood sugar does not go away on its own. Work closely with your doctor and health care team to manage it. Together you can make a plan for healthy eating, exercise, and medicine. If you are due for a checkup or would like to schedule a visit at the Wautoma clinic located at 400 South Townline Road, call toll-free at 1-800-942-5330. Most people with high blood sugar should see their doctor every three to six months to make sure their blood sugar is under control.
Family Health La Clinica (FHLC) is a community health center that provides primary medical, dental, mental health and substance recovery services to patients of all ages and income levels, both insured and uninsured. FHLC accepts private insurance, Medicaid (BadgerCare), Medicare, and offers a sliding fee discount program for those who qualify.
For more information, visit their website at www.famhealth.com or follow them on social media @fhlcchc on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. To schedule a visit at any of their five sites in Wautoma, Friendship, Mauston, Stevens Point, or Beaver Dam, call toll free at 1-800-942-5330.
