November is Diabetes Awareness Month
By Sam Yoon, MD
National Diabetes Month is observed every November to draw attention to diabetes and its effect on millions of Americans. It’s a month dedicated to communicating the seriousness of this disease and the importance of proper diabetes control.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 37.3 million people in the United States now have diabetes, yet one out of four remain undiagnosed and untreated.1
Diabetes prevents the body from producing enough insulin to control blood sugar (glucose) levels. This condition can lead to other serious health problems, including heart disease, eye disease, stroke, nerve damage, kidney failure and other complications. Diabetes takes a heavy toll on our country’s health.
You may not realize that…
- People with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized for a heart attack or stroke.
- Diabetes causes nearly 50% of all cases of kidney failure.
- More than half of all amputations in adults occur in diabetic patients.
- More than half a million American adults have advanced diabetic retinopathy, greatly increasing their risk for severe vision loss.
- About 60-70 percent of people with diabetes have mild-to-severe forms of nerve damage causing pain in the feet or hands, slowed digestion, sexual dysfunction and other nerve problems.
Beyond the medical challenges of diabetes, there’s a huge financial cost. The CDC reports that approximately $1 out of every $4 in U.S. health care costs is spent on caring for people with diabetes.
Remember these symptoms
Please report any of these symptoms to your health care provider:
• frequent urination
• frequent bladder, kidney, skin or other infections that are hard to heal
• excessive thirst
• extreme hunger
• unusual weight loss
• increase fatigue
• irritability
• blurry vision
• pain or numbness in your feet or hands
A simple blood test – called the A1C test – can show whether someone has diabetes or is at risk for developing the disease. Early detection and proper treatment decrease chances of developing serious complications later on.
Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they often have “pre-diabetes” — a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. This condition puts people at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Early treatment and lifestyle modifications can return blood glucose levels to the normal range for many people with pre-diabetes. People can lower their overall risk for developing type 2 diabetes significantly by:
- Losing approximately 7% of their body weight (or about 15 pounds if someone weighs 200 pounds)
- Exercising moderately (such as brisk walking) 30 minutes a day, five days a week
Help prevent pre-diabetes and diabetes
- Be physically active every day. Aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. Work out with weights to increase lean body mass at least twice a week.
- Keep yourself at a desirable weight. If you are overweight, even a small weight loss can help decrease your risk for diabetes.
- Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and whole grains. Cut down on carbohydrates, sweets and high-fat foods.
- Don’t skip meals. Avoid going longer than four or five hours without eating.
- Include healthy snacks, when hungry.
- Watch portion sizes.
- Learn to read food labels. Limit foods high in sugar and fat.
- Avoid regular soda and sweetened beverages.
By making lifestyle changes now, you can positively impact your long-term health. If you already have diabetes, your goal should be to keep your blood sugar under optimal control – that is, in the range that keeps you feeling well and will hopefully prevent complications. Newer diabetes medications are helping many people do just that.
There are newly approved medications available for type 2 diabetes management. These medications have been shown to improve glucose levels and help with weight control. Diabetic patients may want to have an honest risk-benefit discussion with their physician to determine if they are candidates for these drugs.
Diabetic patients quickly learn that controlling diabetes is an ongoing balancing act comprised of healthy eating, activity, medication and managing blood sugar levels.
Successful daily management of diabetes needn’t take over anyone’s life. Health care organizations such as Advocate Aurora Health offer diabetes management classes, support groups and other helpful resources to their patients.
1https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/index.html. Accessed 09/28/2022
Sam Yoon, MD, specializes in endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism at Advocate Aurora Health.
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