This monthly series is a partnership of the New Pittsburgh Courier, Community PARTners (a core service of the University of Pittsburgh’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute—CTSI), the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh and the UPMC Center for Engagement and Inclusion. All articles can be accessed online at the New Pittsburgh Courier website. These pages will provide you with valuable information on health topics that may affect you, your family or friends and connect you to local health initiatives and resources.
This month, the “Take Charge of Your Health Today” page focuses on the importance of eating healthy, staying active and risk planning—three important goals for good diabetic management for people living with diabetes. Marcus A. Poindexter, LSW, HSV, and Esther L. Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League, discussed this important topic.
MAP: Good morning, Ms. Bush. It’s such a pleasure to sit down with you again to discuss the importance of good diabetic management, which is a process to restore the normal functions of the metabolism (breakdown of the food we eat). Thanks to better treatment, people with diabetes are now living longer and have a better quality of life than ever before. This is because of excellent self-care behaviors, such as eating healthy, staying active and risk planning (coping) to maintain the goal of good diabetic management. For people living with diabetes, however, making healthy choices can be extremely difficult. What suggestions can you provide to keep our people and their loved ones healthy?
EB: Marcus, staying healthy is critical for good diabetic management. Something that I have always encouraged everyone to do is to take your medications exactly as they are directed. Not taking your medications correctly can lower the level of glucose (sugar) and cause the insulin in your body to go up. That can be extremely dangerous and can result in needing immediate medical attention. I would also encourage people to talk to their doctor about their medications if they are causing you to feel sick. He or she may be able to help you deal with the side effects so that you can feel better. Don’t just stop taking your medicines. That can be dangerous.
MAP: What an excellent point, Ms. Bush. Eating right is also an important part of controlling your diabetes, too. Eating smaller portions and eating fewer high-fat foods, like fried foods, whole milk and dairy products, can help control your diabetes. However, if you are anything like me, cutting down on eating sweets can be detrimental to my mental health and the health and well-being of others! What can you offer to those who find themselves in a similar pickle?
EB: Marcus, I think we all can relate to your situation. Coping for some can mean having a couple of cookies every day or just a few times a month. Eating right doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to do away with the foods you enjoy. It just simply means that you have to eat fewer of these high-in-sugar foods at one time. Developing a meal plan and making a menu can cut down on overeating the high-fat foods. I would also suggest meeting with other diabetics and talking with them about how they handle stress. Ignoring stress is impossible. However, developing a support group of people who can help you during hard times may help in making stress more manageable.
MAP: I agree, Ms. Bush. I know this topic is one that can be difficult to discuss, but it’s important to figure out how we can keep maintain good diabetic management for our community. I just want to thank everyone for continuing to read these pages each month. These health pages help all of us to stay informed about health topics important to our communities.
If anyone has questions about the information on this page, e-mail PARTners@hs.pitt.edu.