Photos of Sierra Lowe repelling at the FCA Xtreme Camp at Cross Pointe in Kingston, OK.
Photos of Sierra Lowe repelling at the FCA Xtreme Camp at Cross Pointe in Kingston, OK.
Photos from the Champions Cheerleading Camp held at the Family Life Center in Ada Ok.
Type 1 diabetes: develops when the body's immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin, the hormone which controls blood sugar. This form of diabetes usually strikes children and young adults, but can occur at any age. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5-10% of all cases of diabetes. Risk factors for type 1 diabetes include autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors. Persons with type 1 diabetes must always take insulin injections several times a day, or use an insulin pump.
Type 2 diabetes: usually begins as insulin resistance, a condition in which the body’s cells do not use insulin properly. Since more insulin is needed the pancreas has to work harder and eventually it can no longer make enough insulin to control blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes risks factors are: overweight/obesity, family history of diabetes, history of gestational diabetes, physical inactivity and race/ethnicity. American Indians and other ethnic groups are at particularly high risk for type 2 diabetes, which is also being diagnosed more frequently in children and adolescents. Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90% to 95% of all cases of diabetes. It has been proven that type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented by moderate lifestyle changes.
Gestational diabetes: is a form of diabetes that is often diagnosed in some American Indian women during pregnancy. It is also more common among overweight women and women with a family history of type diabetes. Since a mother’s blood sugar is passed on to the fetus, gestational diabetes requires treatment to keep the mother’s blood sugar levels normal to avoid complications in the baby. After pregnancy gestational diabetes usually goes away, but up to 10% may be found to have type 2 diabetes. Almost half of women who have had gestational diabetes may develop type 2 diabetes in the next 5-10 years unless prevention lifestyle changes are maintained. Testing for gestational diabetes usually occurs about 28 weeks into pregnancy; because of the short time until delivery treatment is usually intensive with tight control of blood sugars, concentrating on diet, exercise and using insulin, if needed.
Pre-diabetes: is a condition where the blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not quite high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. If steps are not taken to get the blood sugar back to normal, type 2 diabetes frequently results. People who have pre-diabetes also are at higher risk for heart disease. It has been scientifically proven in people with pre-diabetes that type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented by losing a moderate amount of weight and keeping it off, and by consistently walking at a moderate pace for 30 minutes five times a week. The risk factors for pre-diabetes are the same as for type 2 diabetes. The CNDH diabetes center offers a special diabetes prevention program, which is a 16-session course taught by specially trained Physical Activity and Lifestyle Specialists (PALS). This course is usually offered twice a year.
Managing diabetes: Prevention of type 2 diabetes is the CNDH diabetes center’s main focus and increasingly the goal of diabetes programs throughout Indian country. Once a person is diagnosed with either type 1 or 2 diabetes, however, the focus shifts to prevention of complications by keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as feasible. Blindness, lower limb amputations, kidney failure, gum disease, heart attack and stroke are among the most serious complications of uncontrolled diabetes. While the complications of diabetes can be devastating, it is important to remember that complications don’t have to happen. Regular medical provider visits, home monitoring of blood sugar, sensible eating habits and regular physical activity are the cornerstones for treatment. If needed, there are many good medications available. Some people may take pills; others may need insulin or other injectible medications. Taking insulin does not mean that your diabetes is bad or getting worse; it just means that your own body can’t make enough. It is also important to remember that management of diabetes also includes controlling blood pressure and cholesterol. In the CNDH diabetes-related services are located within the Diabetes Care Center at the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center.
Home glucose monitoring: It is important to check blood sugars at various times of the day, not just fasting in the morning. Checking right before a meal and then 1-2 hours after the meal can be helpful to see how blood sugar levels respond to the type and amount of food eaten. In general blood sugars before a meal should be in the 70-110 range; 1-2 hours after meals blood sugars should be less than 140. It is also helpful to check when you feel like you are having symptoms of low or high blood sugar. More frequent testing may be needed when blood sugars are unstable. Meters to check blood sugar and the test strips must be ordered by a medical provider; the diabetes center provides the glucometers and the test strips come from pharmacy.
Nutrition: The diabetes center’s nutritional approach for controlling diabetes is carbohydrate counting. Carbohydrates are the foods that turn into sugar when they are digested, and affect blood sugar the most. Learning to count carbohydrates instead of using a “diabetic” diet gives persons with diabetes a wider range of food choices and reduces the stigma and difficulty of having to follow and prepare special meals. Patients are provided with individual and family teaching sessions as well as group cooking classes with a registered dietitian who is also a certified diabetes educator (CDE). Books are provided that list carbohydrate amounts for different foods as well as fast foods. Instructions on how to read food labels is also an important part of carbohydrate counting. As a general rule, men are allowed 60 grams of carbohydrates per meal, while women get 45 grams. Learning how to limit portion sizes is another key component of good nutrition, especially portions of high-fat foods.
Physical Activity: As previously mentioned, the goal for physical activity is to reach 30 minutes of moderate activity five times a week. Moderate activity can be described as a brisk walk, or other activity that increases the heart rate slightly. The exercise does not have to be done all at once; two or three short sessions a day can be just as effective. The key is to be active on a regular, consistent basis. A popular program is the 10,000 steps program. Using a device called a pedometer, which counts your steps; the goal is to eventually reach 10,000 steps every day. Before starting an exercise program, most people should consult their medical provider and get assistance from an exercise specialist. The diabetes center has an exercise specialist, who designs physical activity programs on an individual basis, taking into consideration any medical conditions. The diabetes center has a small but well equipped fitness room.
