2 BOCNEWS.com OCTOBER 2017 1. TASHA COBBS LEONARD -HEART, PASSION,PURSUIT 2. RICKY DILLARD -10 3. JIMMY HICKS-WATERWAY 4. LECRAE-ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER 5. MARVIN SAPP - CLOSE 6. TED WINN-STAND IN AWE 7. MICHAEL ENGLISH -LOVE IS THE GOLDEN RULE 8. MELVIN WILLIAMS- WHERE I STARTED FROM 9. GREENLEAF -VOL. 2 10. RUTH LA'ONTRA -I GOT YOU "For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds..." — Jeremiah 30:17 In the United States today, over 30 million adults have diabetes and 1 in 4 of them do not know they have it. There are three main types of diabetes as follows: Type 1 diabetes that effects about 5% of the people who have diabetes and is usually diagnosed in children, teens and young adults. These indi- viduals must take insulin every day to survive. We currently do not know how to prevent this type of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is found mostly in adults, but younger people can have it. 9 out of 10 people with diabetes have this type of diabetes, and can have it over many years. You may not notice any symptoms, so it is important to get your blood sugar tested if you are at risk. Gestational diabetes develops in pregnant women who have never had diabetes. If one has this type of dia- betes, the baby born later could be at risk for health complications. This type of diabetes usually goes away after the birth of the baby but increas- es the risk in the mother of having type 2 diabetes later in life. There is another health condition we need to be aware of. This condi- tion if called prediabetes. More than 84 million people have this condition, and 90% of those who have it, do not know it.In this condition blood sugars are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as diabe- tes. This condition increases the risk of diabetes, heart diseases and stroke. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the US. If you have diabetes your body either does not make enough insulin or can't use insulin as it should. Diabetes can cause some major chronic health conditions and major complications, and we are talking here about a significant amount of prevent- able suffering and ill health. The com- plications can be linked to how long the elevated blood sugars are present and life-style concerns such as obe- sity, unhealthy eating, sedentary liv- ing, smoking, and lack of accessing or having no medical care. ■ ■ Here are some major complica- tions of diabetes: ■ ■ Heart and blood vessel disease-This can include heart attack,stroke, and blood vessel disease which may lead to amputations ■ ■ Kidney disease- This may cause gradual loss of adequate kidney function, which may lead to the need for dialysis. ■ ■ Nerve damage-This may cause chronic, even severe pain and loss of sensation in the arms and legs ■ ■ Eye disease-This may cause dim- ming of vision and even permanent loss of vision ■ ■ Skin conditions-This may cause skin infections, foot or leg ulcer- ation and damage which may also lead to amputations ■ ■ An association with Alzheimer's Disease- There is an increased risk of this condition in those with diabetes There should be a robust interest in detection, managing and controlling diabetes, This is because failure to do so can lead to pain, suffering, dimin- ished quality of life and premature death. I would like to share with you now some information about avoiding complications: ■ ■ See your doctor on a regular basis- Use these visits to set goals for diabetes monitoring, and detection of possible complications. If you do not have a doctor seek help from a local clinic that can help the unin- sured. I am also including seeing your eye doctor, and your dentist. Get all needed blood tests in your doctor's office. ■ ■ QUIT SMOKING IF NEEDED!- Smoking and diabetes may be a lethal combination! ■ ■ Monitor your blood sugars at home. Discuss goals for blood sugar control and use of medica- tion to control your diabetes. ■ ■ Work with your doctor to control your blood pressure and your cho- lesterol, ■ ■ Check you feet daily. Look for skin discoloration, or open areas on the skin. Learn what is proper foot wear. Call your doctor for any wor- risome changes. ■ ■ Exercise on a regular basis. Get advice from you doctor about this. ■ ■ Eat Healthy-Speak with a dietician as needed. A proper diet is critical to diabetes control. May God bless you and help you to live longer and better. AvoidingThe Complications of Diabetes Dr. Conner By Byron E. Conner, M.D. HEALTH Diabetes can cause some major chronic health conditions and major complications, and we are talking here about a significant amount of preventable suffering and ill health.