Jackson Hospital | Partners | FALL 2015

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We know our health can change
as we age. Eyesight may falter. Hearing
may fade. Fatigue may build. But are we
right to blame it all on aging? Maybe not,
experts say. In fact, many so-called signs
of aging may actually point to another
serious condition: insulin resistance that
eventually leads to type 2 diabetes.
Is it the sugar?
Diabetes is related to how we convert
food to energy. When we eat, our bodies
break down food into glucose, a type of
sugar. Glucose powers our cells. Insulin
DIABETES SEMINAR
AND SCREENING
DIABETES PREVENTION
STARTS WITH YOU!
This seminar will equip you with
the knowledge you need to avoid
diabetes—or to live better if you
already have the condition.
PRESENTER: Ahmet Bahadir
Ergin, MD, CCD, ECNU, of The
Jackson Clinic Endocrinology
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 30, 11:30am
(screening begins), noon (lunch
and seminar)
FEE: $5 (includes glucose, blood
pressure testing and heart-healthy
lunch). Free for My Hospital Card
members!
REGISTRATION REQUIRED:
Register at
or call 334-293-8805 .
Could it be diabetes?
Not sure what to dish up?
See
for
incredible edibles that
teem with good-for-you
nutrients.
Don’t chalk up symptoms to getting older
helps glucose move from the blood into
the cells.
“People with insulin resistance have to
produce a lot of insulin to force the glu-
cose into cells,” explains Ahmet Bahadir
Ergin, MD, CCD, ECNU, of The Jackson
Clinic Endocrinology. “A lot of insulin
means a lot of tiredness. When insulin
finally starts to fade, type 2 diabetes will
develop. Namely, you will still have a lot
of insulin in your body, yet your blood
glucose will start to rise.”
High blood sugar causes a number of
symptoms as well, some of which can be
confused with aging. For instance:
Poor vision. Too much glucose can dis-
tort structures in the eye and blur vision.
Trouble hearing. High glucose dam-
ages blood vessels and nerves. When that
damage occurs in the ear, hearing can
suffer.
Growing fatigue. When food isn’t
properly converted into energy, you can
feel run down.
Greater appetite. Glucose trapped
in the blood can’t reach—and fuel—your
cells. Your body believes more fuel is
needed. Result? Hunger pangs.
Increasing thirst. Kidneys remove
excess glucose from the blood. The body
expels it as urine. The more you urinate,
the thirstier you get.
If you have any of these symptoms, see
your doctor. You may need a blood test to
check for type 2 diabetes.
Are you at risk?
“A lack of symptoms doesn’t always mean
you’re diabetes-free,” Dr. Ergin says.
“Many people with type 2 diabetes have
no symptoms if it isn’t yet severe enough.
That’s why it’s also important to know
the risk factors for diabetes and take early
measures to prevent diabetes and treat
it earlier than later. Only early treatment
can prevent complications of diabetes.
You should seek attention if you are over-
weight and above age 25 and have family
members with diabetes.”
Ask your doctor if you should be tested
for type 2 diabetes. If you have prediabetes,
your doctor can help you prevent becom-
ing diabetic. If you already have diabetes,
you can take advantage of early interven-
tion to prevent future complications, such
as eye, kidney and nerve disease.
Ahmet Bahadir
Ergin, MD,
CCD, ECNU
The Jackson Clinic
Endocrinology
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