Area Diabetes Patient Urges Others To Make Changes To Avoid Further Issues

Scott Becker of Grand Island found out several years ago that he had diabetes. He also knew that his family had a history of serious heart issues. Yet, he said, failing to make changes in his lifestyle created the perfect storm, leading to a heart attack two years ago.

“If I had to go back and do it again, I would defi nitely make some changes when I was first diagnosed with diabetes,” Becker said.

Becker is not alone. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes and heart disease often go hand-in-hand. In fact, adults with diabetes are twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke than those without it.

Becker, who led an active lifestyle at the time of his diabetes diagnosis, said he assumed being active was enough to avoid further complications. He said he felt he had his diabetes under control.

One thing he should have changed, he said, was moving to a less stressful career situation. As a maintenance manager he was working 16-hour days and sometimes seven days per week.

Secondly, he said, he would have changed his eating habits. With his long work days, he sometimes ate large meals all at once, right before bed. This didn’t give his body time to break things down properly.

These days, Becker said, he is taking it a little easier and recently switched jobs. He also sees his physician regularly and meets with DeAnn Carpenter, DNP APRN CDCES, MLH Diabetes Manager. Carpenter and the MLH Diabetes Program have helped him manage his monitoring, medications and even his cholesterol.

“I would tell people with diabetes, watch what you eat,” Becker said. “Diabetes isn’t fun. You might think you are pretty healthy, but you have to watch your diet.”