What You Can Do to Fight Diabetes

Diabetes is a challenging chronic disease that afflicts 23.6 million Americans, according to the American Diabetes Association. It affects the way the body produces or uses insulin to turn food into energy, causing abnormally high blood sugar levels, and it often eventually leads other health problems throughout the body.

Here in Wisconsin, estimates show nearly 420,000 adults living with diabetes, and that number is on the rise. In addition, an estimated 1.06 million adults over the age of 19 in Wisconsin have pre-diabetes.

Fortunately, in many cases there are simple ways to reduce the effects or even avoid developing this disease.

How can I help prevent type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is a disorder where the body produces little or no insulin. It can develop at any age, but it most often is first seen in children and young adults. Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2, but it is a lifelong condition that cannot be prevented. Many of the problems associated with the disease, however, can be eliminated or reduced if you:
• Follow the guidelines your health care provider gives you.
• Maintain a normal blood sugar level.
• Learn how to inject insulin correctly, including where to inject it.
• Learn how to test your blood sugar.
• Know when to adjust your medication.
• Do not smoke. Smoking speeds up the damage to the heart and blood vessels.
• Have other medical problems treated, especially high blood pressure.
• Keep your appointments with your health care provider.
• Call your health care provider if you have any questions.

How can I help prevent type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a disorder that happens when your body does not make enough insulin or is unable to use insulin properly. Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common type, but often it is preventable by making healthy lifestyle choices. Even if there is a history of diabetes in your family, you may be able to avoid developing the disease if you:
• Maintain your recommended weight.
• Exercise regularly according to your health care provider's recommendations.
• Eat a healthy diet with controlled portions, following the food pyramid.
• Eat plenty of fiber (fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds).
• If you have a family history of diabetes, get your blood sugar checked every year.

Learn more:
Dean Diabetes Education (programs and support groups)
Dean Diabetes Management Program

Winterize Your Skin

As winter approaches and temperatures drop, we often find our skin becoming dry, itchy, and irritated. Just as you prepare your home or car for the winter months, you need to winterize your skin to protect it, to look and feel your best.

To celebrate Healthy Skin Month in November, we have prepared some easy tips to keep your skin healthy during the colder months:

• Take shorter showers with warm water instead of hot
• After a shower, gently pat your skin dry instead of rubbing
• Within three minutes of bathing or showering, apply moisturizer to lock in moisture (consider Vaseline, petroleum jelly, Aquaphor or some skin creams)
• Apply hand moisturizer after washing hands and throughout the day as needed
• Keep your feet soft by washing them daily and moisturizing
• Use lip balm or moisturizing lipstick to prevent dry, chapped lips
• Drink plenty of water to flush toxins from your body
• Consider using a humidifier in your bedroom or living room (humidifiers must be well-maintained and cleaned regularly to avoid mold, bacteria and allergens)
• Keep the temperature in your home down to reduce drying out the air
• Wear sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection when going outside, since snow intensifies the sun’s rays
• Wear soft cottons and blended fabrics that are less irritating to skin
• Visit a dermatologist if you have symptomatic skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis

Learn more about Dermatology at Dean

Essentials Skin Care Center
Want to rejuvenate and pamper your skin? The licensed aestheticians at Essentials Skin Care Center can help you achieve healthier, beautiful skin. Throughout the month of November, Essentials is offering a facials special of buy one, get one half off. Learn more

Have You Received a Flu Shot Yet?

With influenza (flu) season here, we want to encourage you to make arrangements to receive the flu vaccine. Influenza is a highly contagious disease that causes an estimated 226,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths in the United States each year. Annual immunization is your best defense against influenza.

To provide you with the latest information on Dean Health System’s supply of flu vaccine and to learn how to make an appointment, we ask you to call our Flu Vaccine Hotline:
• (608) 250-1383
• (877) 277-3326 (Toll Free)

This number can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The information on this line will be updated weekly throughout the 2008-09 flu season. Updates will also be posted on our website, www.deancare.com/flu.