Category: Diseases, Injuries, and Dying

Keys to Understanding and Preventing Diabetes

Diabetes remains a major public health concern, despite progress in treatment options. National Diabetes Month emphasizes prevention and management strategies to minimize complications. Effective lifestyle changes, regular monitoring, and proper medication usage are crucial. Understanding risk factors can help in the fight against diabetes and its associated health issues. In this post I share strategies you can use to protect your health from diabetes risk.

Diabetes was a significant health issue when I entered medical school in 1974, and still is. The cause of diabetes was not as well understood then and the treatment options were limited.

In 2024, we understand the disease better and have a greater range of medications that effectively control blood glucose. Unfortunately, the number of people with diabetes keeps increasing as well as the complication rate.

Be Aware of Diabetes

November is National Diabetes Month when communities nationwide call attention to diabetes. This year’s focus is on taking action to prevent diabetes health problems.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that causes blood glucose, or blood sugar, to accumulate in the bloodstream at an elevated level. Glucose is your body’s main source of energy. Your body can make glucose, but glucose also comes from the food you eat.

Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose get into your cells to be used for energy. If you have diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin properly. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells.

What makes Diabetes important?

Diabetes can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart. Diabetes is also linked to some types of cancer. Taking steps to prevent or manage diabetes may lower your risk of developing diabetes health problems.

Common complications of diabetes include kidney disease, heart disease, and numbness in the feet due to nerve disease.

How common is Diabetes?

  • As of 2019, 37.3 million people—or 11.3% of the U.S. population—had diabetes.
  • More than 1 in 4 people over the age of 65 had diabetes.
  • Nearly 1 in 4 adults with diabetes didn’t know they had the disease.
  • About 90% to 95% of diabetes cases are type 2 diabetes.
  • In 2019, 96 million adults—38% of U.S. adults—had prediabetes.
Diabetes around the World

Diabetes is a worldwide problem. According to the International Diabetes Federation 540 million people have diabetes.

10.5% of the world’s adult population (20-79 years) has diabetes, with almost half unaware that they are living with the condition.

The total number of people living with diabetes is projected to rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045.

Most of the world’s adults with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries.

How Can You Prevent Diabetes?

Taking charge of your health can help you prevent diabetes and complications for those who already have diabetes. While a healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, it is critical for those at higher risk of diabetes and who already have been diagnosed.

Know your risk for developing diabetes.

You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you are overweight; are age 35 or older; have a family history of diabetes; are African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic or Latino, or Pacific Islander; are not physically active; or have prediabetes.

Use this link from the American Diabetes Association to assess your risk.

Our 60-Second Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test

Know and manage your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

The first step in diabetes management is diagnosis. Appropriate blood tests can easily diagnose diabetes, and establish the type of diabetes.

Preventing diabetes or managing diabetes as soon as possible after diagnosis may help prevent diabetes health problems.

You can start by managing your diabetes ABCs.

A is for the A1C test that measures your average blood glucose levels.

B is for blood pressure.

C is for cholesterol.(also called lipids)

Ask your health care professional what your ABCs goals should be.

Cultivate Healthy Eating and Activity Habits.

Lifestyle habits such as planning healthy meals, being physically active, getting enough sleep, and not smoking may help you prevent diabetes or manage your diabetes ABCs. You don’t have to do it all at once. Start slow and build healthier habits from there.

Here are tips on moving from Contemplation to Action.

Use your medications correctly and regularly

Remember to take your medicines even if you feel healthy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have trouble taking your medicines on time or at the correct dose. If you have trouble paying for medication, your doctor may suggest less costly alternatives.

Insulin, Medicines, & Other Diabetes Treatments

Aim for a Healthy weight

Reach or maintain a healthy weight. A healthy weight may not be perfect, or a specific BMI (body mass index).

If you have overweight or obesity, ask your primary care provider if healthy eating, physical activity, or other weight-loss treatments may help you manage your weight. Sometimes even a modest weight loss will improve glucose control.

people in a gym exercising
photo courtesy Amanda Mills, CDC.gov, Public Health Image Library

Guard your Mental Health

Managing diabetes can be hard. If you feel down, sad, or overwhelmed, learn about healthy ways to cope with stress. Consider talking to a mental health counselor or joining a support group.

Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com

This post was adapted from content provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.

Other information and graphics were developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are in the public domain, and are freely available on their website.

Exploring the HEART of Health

I hope you have learned something helpful in this post and ask that you share it on your feeds. Please follow the hyperlinks to learn more about diabetes.

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

This is a post about diabetes I wrote my first year of blogging. It is still relevant.

10 Silent Signs of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus type 2, often linked to obesity, complicates blood glucose control for overweight individuals. It contributes to serious complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, and neuropathy. Early diagnosis and effective management through lifestyle changes and medication are crucial. Everyone should be aware of symptoms and high-risk factors for diabetes.

Keep reading
Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.'s avatar by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

Observing Domestic Violence Awareness

October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, highlighting the need for awareness and action against domestic violence. It is vital to recognize signs of abuse and offer support to victims. Resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline are crucial for safety and recovery. Community involvement and education play key roles in prevention efforts. Get educated and involved by reading and sharing this post.

If you know or suspect you are in a domestic violence situation, and this page is visible to your abuser right now, continue reading this post only if you can do so privately. If not, close the device and clear your browser.

Health issues are usually not the major concerns when it comes to elections, but they are related to the major issues, like the cost of living, taxes, and crime.

Among the major campaign issues are health-related concerns, including women’s reproductive care, gun violence, opioid addiction and deaths, mental health crises, and the cost of healthcare.

So it is appropriate that we highlight awareness of two major health issues, one I reviewed earlier this month and one in this post.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship.

thehotline.org

A Day of Unity

First observed in October 1981 as a national “Day of Unity,” Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is held each October as a way to unite advocates across the nation in their efforts to end domestic violence.

Communities and advocacy organizations across the country connect with the public and one another throughout the month to raise awareness about the signs of abuse and ways to stop it, uplift survivor stories and provide additional resources to leaders and policymakers.

What is Domestic Violence?

Also called intimate partner violence, domestic abuse, or relationship abuse, It can happen to anyone at any point in a relationship. Domestic violence includes behaviors that physically harm, cause fear, prevent a partner from doing what they wish, or force them to behave in ways they do not want.

Domestic violence is a global problem. According to WHO, the World Health Organization,

  • Over a quarter of women aged 15–49 years have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner at least once in their lifetime.
  • The prevalence estimates of lifetime intimate partner violence range from 20% in the Western Pacific, 22% in high-income countries and Europe,25% in the WHO Regions of the Americas to over 30% in the WHO African region, Eastern Mediterranean Region, and the South-East Asia region.
  • Globally as many as 38% of all murders of women are committed by intimate partners and 6% of women report having been sexually assaulted by someone other than a partner, although data are more limited.
  • Intimate partner and sexual violence are mostly perpetrated by men against women.

(WHO info edited for length)

(Please note that PDF embeds will display on a computer, but most phone and tablet browsers won’t display embedded PDFs.)

2206-Hotline-postcard_digitalDownload

How to identify abuse

  • One feature shared by most abusive relationships is that the abusive partner tries to establish or gain power and control through many different methods at different moments. Examples include, but are not limited to
  • Telling you that you never do anything right.
  • Showing extreme jealousy of your friends or time spent away from them.
  • Preventing or discouraging you from spending time with others, particularly friends, family members, or peers.
  • Insulting, demeaning, or shaming you, especially in front of other people.
  • Preventing you from making your own decisions, including about working or attending school.
  • Controlling finances in the household without discussion, such as taking your money or refusing to provide money for necessary expenses.
  • Pressuring you to have sex or perform sexual acts you’re not comfortable with.
  • Pressuring you to use drugs or alcohol.
  • Intimidating you through threatening looks or actions.

What to do if you are in an abusive situation

The most immediate need is to ensure your safety and the safety of your children or other dependents.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline

The Hotline is a 501(c)(3) organization supported by grants from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Justice Department. Available 24/7 you can

Also search for Local Resources on the website.

The website has detailed instructions for creating a personal safety plan.

A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan to improve your safety while experiencing abuse, preparing to leave an abusive situation, or after you leave.

Abuse-is-never-okay_Hotline-Mirror-ClingDownload

How to help victims and survivors

Even after escaping an abusive situation, those affected need time and help to heal and move forward. If you are not a victim or survivor, you likely know someone who is, or will be. Here are suggestions on how to help.

Educate yourself about the forms of abuse and about your local resources to help victims.

Listen without judgment, be supportive of their decisions, be a trusted friend. Be willing to listen without giving advice unless requested. Don’t assume you would have acted differently in their situation.

Encourage professional support. There should be no stigma to seeking help from trained professionals, just like any other health condition.

Advocate for change in your community, support local resources, fundraisers, and education. Consider volunteering at a shelter. Support local officials who make domestic violence prevention a priority.

An easy way to help is to donate your old electronics like cell phones, laptops, and video game systems for resale.  The National Domestic Violence Hotline receives a portion of the funds furthering The Hotline’s programming and projects that support victims and survivors of domestic violence and the advocates and allies that support them.

Here is another shareable resource written with a faith-based perspective.

Faith-Based-Tip-Sheet-For-members-and-helpers_2024Download

Exploring the HEART of Health

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and share this post. By sharing this vital information, you may be saving someone’s life.

Please share in the comments your experiences helping domestic abuse victims or your own experience at surviving abuse, but only if you can do so safely without revealing personal information that might endanger someone’s safety.

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha