THE MONTH TO PREVENT DIABETES

Diabetes is a lifelong, chronic disease in which blood glucose (sugar) levels are above normal. Most of the food we eat is turned into sugar for our bodies to use as energy. The pancreas makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose enter into the cells in our bodies so that the sugar can be used as energy. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or it cannot use it as well as it should, therefore preventing the sugar from entering into the cells and causing it to build up in your blood.

There are different types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is when your pancreas does not make enough insulin. It is typically diagnosed in children and accounts for about 5% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is when your body cannot use insulin as well as it should. It was previously known as adult-onset diabetes because it was commonly diagnosed in older adults. However, it is now becoming increasingly common among all age groups. You can also be diagnosed with pre-diabetes, which means that your blood glucose is higher than normal but lower than the diabetes range. Pre-diabetes means that you are at risk for getting type 2 diabetes. A third type of diabetes is called Gestational diabetes and can only occur in pregnant women. It develops in 2% to 10% of all pregnancies but often disappears when a pregnancy is over.

November is the month to be aware about and to prevent diabetes. It is also an opportunity to learn how to improve disease management for those already diagnosed. When not well-managed, diabetes can cause serious health problems including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. Diabetes affects 25.8 million people in the United States and is the 7^th leading cause of death.

Risk Factors for Diabetes

The following factors may increase your risk for having diabetes:

·  Older age

·  Overweight or obesity

·  Family history of diabetes – having a parent, sibling, or grandparent with diabetes

·  Physical inactivity

·  Diet high in sugar and refined starches (white carbohydrates)

·  High blood pressure

·  Prior history of gestational diabetes (women only)

·  Impaired glucose tolerance

·  Certain races/ethnicities may experience a higher incidence of diabetes

You should discuss your risk factors and family history with your family physician.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Common symptoms of diabetes include:

·  Frequent urination

·  Excessive thirst

·  Unexplained weight loss

·  Sudden vision changes

·  Tingling or numbness in hands or feet

·  Feeling very tired much of the time

·  Very dry skin

·  Sores that are slow to heal

·  More infections than usual

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should see your family physician.

Prevention of Diabetes

Research shows that moderate weight loss and exercise can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes among those at high risk.

**Eat Right

Eat a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fiber, and lean meats. Reduce your portion sizes and each meal and try to incorporate healthy snacks into your eating habits throughout the day. Avoid foods high in fat, refined (white) carbohydrates, and sugar. Choose fruits that have higher fiber content, like apples or pears, over high-sugar fruits like oranges. Eat whole grains instead of processed starches (brown rice, whole wheat, oats, barley, etc).  Also cut back on sweetened beverages like fruit-flavored drinks, juice, soda, or tea and coffee sweetened with sugar.  While artificial sweeteners (aspartame, sucralose, saccharin) may seem like appealing alternatives, these have also been linked to diabetes.  Try to slowly cut back on the use of all added sugars and sweeteners.

**Be Active

Experts recommend moderate-intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes on 5 or more days of the week. This may include brisk walking, mowing the lawn (with a push mower), dancing, swimming, or bicycling. Be sure to discuss your ability to be physically active with your doctor and start out with light exercise in order to condition your muscles and to prevent injury.

Treatment

There is no cure for diabetes. Treatment involves medicines, diet, and exercise to control blood sugar and to prevent symptoms and problems. With proper management, persons with diabetes can live a long, healthy, active life free of diabetes-related complications.

It is important to be screened for diabetes by your family physician at your annual well-visit, especially if you are over age 45 and are overweight. Screening involves talking to your doctor about your diet and eating habits, physical activity, weight, and also your blood sugar levels (glucose and hemoglobin A1C), determined by blood tests.

If you are diagnosed as pre-diabetic or diabetic and would like to work with a member of your work place health assessment team to prevent or better manage your diabetes, please contact Dr. Steffany Haaz at shaaz@corporatehealthsolutions.com.

For additional resources or to find events planned for your community, visit American Diabetes Association 

Diabetes Management Guide