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Kevin Carey’s personal challenge to overcome Type 2 diabetes has been a difficult journey, but he is sharing his miraculous and successful story – how he changed his lifestyle and undoubtedly saved his life – in an effort to inspire others.
Carey was an active businessman who admits unhealthy eating habits and a lack of exercise led to weight gain and ultimately contributed to his pre-diabetic diagnosis 10 years ago. He chose to ignore the warning signs and his depleting health condition. Inevitably, he was diagnosed with full-blown Type 2 diabetes 5 years later, – yet still, he says he chose not to listen.
The story is remarkably common with 29.1 million Americans who have diabetes, and another 86 million who have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.
However, Carey’s story has a happy ending that is not typical – and he wants others to be inspired that there is hope for changing the foreboding prognosis of diabetes – through healthy lifestyle changes. With professional guidance, he has lost 40 pounds on unwanted and unhealthy weight over the past 16 months and says he feels better than he has in 10 years – and his health continues to improve.
As the owner of two successful businesses, Carey was typical of many Americans who consume an unhealthy diet to keep up with their busy work schedules. He describes himself as a “fast food junkie – running around – stopping for fast food three or four times a day and consuming a dozen sodas” on a regular daily basis. “It was probably his health, back, knees and his kids who said it would be nice if he was around for a while” that prompted Carey to come to the conclusion that he must make some changes.
Nancy Foulk, registered nurse care coordinator for UW Health provided Carey with educational information about diabetes and began counseling him. “Kevin was a patient that was a bit resistant”, said Foulk – although it took two years for Carey to begin to make changes, she never gave up on him.
Dr. Sandra Kamnetz, family physician who treated Carey at UW Health, explained his dangerous condition, “People who have Type 2 diabetes are producing insulin, but their cells no longer know how to use it and it becomes a progressive chronic disease. Insulin brings to patients with diabetes an increased risk of heart attack; increased risk of a stroke; increased risk of ulcers to the feet leading to potential amputation; and a risk of chronic renal failure even ending up in dialysis.”
“A lot of people are in denial about having diabetes, admitting they are overweight and not exercising, but 10, 15 years later when they are on insulin, they wish they would have listened and made those changes”, explained Dr. Kamnetz – who believes denial is often the factor that keeps people from seeking help.
“There is always a hooray moment anytime there are improved lab results, blood pressure, or weight loss – because they take it seriously and it is really a great feeling” said Foulk.
Learn more about healthy lifestyle choices at the website.
Release ID: 97585