Fundraiser takes aim at diabetes

By CANDACE CHASE

The Daily Inter Lake

People who are overweight, sedentary, or have relatives with diabetes are at risk for the disease that grows as American's waistlines spread.

On Saturday, the Lions Walk for Diabetes will raise dollars to fight the disease billed as the leading cause of preventable blindness. Registration begins at 9 a.m. in Lawrence Park in Kalispell, with an easy one-mile walk kicking off at 10 a.m.

A diabetes awareness fair afterward will offer information about the often-symptomless disease that has potentially tragic consequences, including blindness, kidney failure, nerve disease, heart attacks and strokes.

According to President Gregg Wilcox, the Lions Club became interested in helping raise money for diabetes after members heard a presentation during spring by diabetes educator Jennifer Janetski at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Janetski and club members worked together to organize the charity walk in which participants seek pledges and/or make a donation themselves.

"A number of our members are victims of diabetes," Wilcox said. "The Lions are also into helping people with eyesight issues."

Colleen Karper, a diabetes educator who works with Janetski, said the two health issues may link medically if diabetes goes undetected and uncontrolled.

"Many people with low vision also have diabetes," she said.

Karper said most diabetes cases are type II rather than type I, a disorder in which a person's immune system attacks the pancreas. Although genetics plays a role, lifestyle headlines as a cause.

"Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are primary risks," Karper said. "That creates insulin resistance."

A person develops type II diabetes when the body loses its ability to use insulin efficiently to transport sugar into cells to create energy.

Once called adult-onset diabetes, type II has begun showing up in obese children. But Karper said not all people with diabetes are "grossly obese."

"People with type II generally have an apple shape," she said. "More abdominal fat contributes to insulin resistance."

According to the American Diabetes Association, 14.6 million Americans have the disease. An estimated 6.2 million have diabetes but don't know it.

Karper said that's why people need to understand diabetes and get screened when they have significant risk factors. Along with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, risk factors are:

. Close relative with diabetes

. Black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders ethnic background

. Women who had a baby weighing more than 9 pounds

. Blood pressure of 140 over 90 or higher

. History including polycystic ovary syndrome or cardiovascular disease

. Older than 45 years of age.

Symptoms may include thirst, frequent urination, blurry vision, tingling fingers and toes, fatigue, weight gain or loss, frequent vaginal yeast infections, bladder infections or dry, itchy skin.

kkellogg 9/14/06 "Generally, when you have symptoms, it's been developing over a number of years," Karper said. "Early diagnosis is important, because you can start treating diabetes with lifestyle changes that can prevent complications."

She said a big component of the medical center's diabetes education program is helping people change behaviors. A core concept is "making baby steps toward change."

Diabetes educators suggest reducing meal portions, taking walks or parking a little farther from the door to start.

To learn more about diabetes and help raise money for treatment in the Flathead Valley, Lions Club members invite the public to come Saturday to Lawrence Park. People can register at the event or earlier at:

. Glacier Bank (Downtown, Evergreen or Buffalo Hill)

. Diabetes Education office at Kalispell Regional Medical Center

. The Summit

Call the hospital Diabetes Education Program at 751-5454.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.