“Living with diabetes throughout childhood and the teenage years, as a young adult, and while pregnant helps me relate to patients with diabetes in these varying stages of life,” says Ruth Lira, RN, MSN, CDE, WCC. “People diagnosed with diabetes at can lead long, healthy lives in addition to being productive, active adults – like actress Halle Berry, singer Nick Jonas, or former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee. The disease doesn’t have to slow them down however, to live life to the fullest, people with diabetes need to understand diabetes and learn how to manage it.”

            There are two types of diabetes: Type 1, which develops in children or young adults; and Type 2, which occurs when either the body becomes resistant to insulin or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes usually appears in people who are over the age of 40, overweight, or have a family history of the disease. However, this form of the disease is increasingly occurring in children and adolescents as well.

            “It can be challenging at any age to be motivated to take the steps needed to properly manage diabetes,” says Lira, whose fraternal twin sister was also diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 13. “However, skipping regular testing and not administering a needed insulin injection can result in an emergency room visit, in addition to having an increased risk of developing diabetes related complications. I am well aware of the need for emergency room visits due to my invincible view on life as an adolescent.  The notion that negative consequences cannot happen to me resulted in preventable emergency room visits.  With modern equipment, it is much easier to monitor blood glucose levels and manage one’s diabetes.  The use of continuous blood glucose monitors and insulin pumps help accomplish better diabetes control.  It also helps to have a strong support system, such as the support groups we have at the Joslin Diabetes Center.  In addition to family support, diabetes support groups are beneficial in allowing individuals to share and discuss ways to effectively manage their health.”

            Blood glucose monitoring involves testing blood through finger sticks to ensure that blood glucose levels remain within a predetermined target range. Insulin is given to help glucose enter cells and provide energy to muscle and tissues. Insulin typically is administered using a fine needle and syringe or insulin pen; insulin is not taken by mouth because stomach enzymes can interfere with insulin action. Insulin also may be delivered using an insulin pump that is programmed to dispense a set amount of insulin automatically via a catheter inserted under the skin.

For Lira, having diabetes helps her understand what patients are going through as she has successfully navigated the challenges of living with diabetes. She speaks from experience and serves as a role model for patients with diabetes, having had two healthy children and now working to help educate others on how to safeguard their health.

“I take a personal interest in working with patients who have diabetes.  Having lived with diabetes for over thirty-five years has made me very familiar with this condition,” says Lira. “When someone has diabetes, it affects the whole family. However, when a family works together to manage the disease everybody who is affected wins. The individuals who take the initiative to learn about diabetes are the ones who are most likely to have a better chance of living life without complications.”

The Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital offers both medical management and education programs, in addition to support groups. There is no cost to join the diabetes support group. To participate, call 281-517-9700 or visit the Joslin Diabetes Center website at www.JoslinDiabetesCyfair.com.