Women & Diabetes:
Health Story

Aired on Lifetime Television
Sunday, July 22 and September 9 2007
Show 417

More than nine million American women have diabetes. And because it's in our nature to care for others first, a lot of women with this disease may be neglecting their own health.

When Andrea Gogolos turned 40, she began noticing some changes. She started feeling thirsty all the time and was constantly hungry. "As I was telling the doctor these things, she, you know, kind of told me I think that you have pre-diabetes," says Andrea. When tests showed her blood glucose was high, Andrea learned she was living with type 2 diabetes. "I kind of was just, quite frankly, stunned," says Andrea.

Her doctor at the Joslin Diabetes Center, Dr. Florence Brown, says, "I really try to encourage my patients that there's a lot that they can do. And that you can make changes that are good for your health that will allow you to treat this disease." Dr. Brown also tries to help ease their fears, reminding her patients and especially women that managing diabetes means putting themselves first.

"Getting women to take care of themselves first is critical. And making healthy choices for themselves will then teach their children something about healthy choices as well," says Dr. Brown.