insulin – watercress words by Dr Aletha

Expert Steps to Prevent and Manage Diabetes

This post introduces National Diabetes Month, aimed at raising diabetes awareness and promoting prevention and management. Diabetes causes high blood glucose due to insufficient insulin. Lifestyle changes, regular screenings, and medication adherence are essential for managing diabetes. Understanding risk factors and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can effectively prevent or delay diabetes onset and complications.

This information is current as of the date of original publication or update. It may have changed by the time you read this. I invite you to fact-check what you read here.

This information is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Before making health decisions, discuss with your physician or other qualified healthcare provider to decide what is right for you.

National Diabetes Month

November is National Diabetes Month, designated to raise awareness of diabetes. Taking steps to prevent or manage diabetes may lower your risk of developing health problem related to diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease that causes too much of the body’s blood glucose, also called blood sugar, to accumulate in the bloodstream. Glucose is your body’s main source of energy. Glucose comes from the food you eat, and your body can make it.

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—or any—insulin, or doesn’t use insulin properly. Without insulin, glucose doesn’t reach your cells.

Diabetes isn’t just about the pancreas. Diabetes affects the eyes, kidneys, nerves, skin, and heart. Diabetes is also linked to some types of cancer.

Knowledge plus action can prevent diabetes health problems.

Stats to Know about 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.

Know About Pre-diabetes

Prediabetes is defined as a blood sugar level that is in the higher end of the normal range, but not high enough to diagnose diabetes. While many of these people don’t develop diabetes, it does indicate a higher risk, so is worth knowing about and checking regularly.

Since 2001, the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-sponsored Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) research study has shown that intensive lifestyle interventions and select medications are cost-effective in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes in adults with prediabetes.

Learn Your Risk for Diabetes.

You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you have overweight or obesity; 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.

The exact reasons these factors increase the chance of diabetes is not known. Scientists suspect genetics plays a role. Lifestyle may also impact one’s risk.

Later in this post you can discover your risk for diabetes with a simple online test.

The ABCs of Diabetes

Manage your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

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 (hemoglobin A1C) that health care professionals use to measure your average blood glucose levels. Some people with diabetes also use devices to track their blood glucose throughout the day and night.

B is for Blood pressure.
C is for Cholesterol.
S is for Stop Smoking

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

Develop a Healthy Lifestyle

Lifestyle habits like 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.

Four illustrations of a family with the text: 1) Make sleep a priority, 2) Try a relaxing activity, 3) Focus on positivity, and 4) Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated.

Using Diabetes Medications

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 pumps contain enough insulin for several days. An infusion set carries insulin from the pump to the body through flexible plastic tubing and a soft tube or needle inserted under the skin.

Weight and Diabetes

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.

You may prevent or delay diabetes by losing 5 to 7 percent of your starting weight. Use the Diabetes Risk Management Calculator to determine how much weight you can lose to help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Manage Stress and Emotions

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.

Work with your Healthcare Team.

Managing diabetes takes a team. Your health care team may include a primary care provider, diabetes specialist, registered dietitian, or certified diabetes educator.

Ask your primary care provider if you should talk with other health care professionals about preventing or managing diabetes. These might include specialists for

feet-podiatrists,
skin-dermatologists,
heart-cardiologists,
eyes-opthalmologists.

Diabetes medicines, devices, and office visits can be expensive. A social worker or a member of your health care team may be able to help you find community resources or financial help for diabetes care.

Your health insurance provider may offer additional services to manage diabetes. Some employers offer preventive medicine services to their employees and their dependents.

Post Images and Graphics

The images and graphics are public use from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health. I drew most of the content from the NIKKD website and added my insights.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), is part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK research creates knowledge about and treatments for diseases that are among the most chronic, costly, and consequential for patients, their families, and the Nation.

Cover Image

The cover image of this post was created by JetPackAI available with WordPress.

Awareness and Action

There is much more to know about diabetes but the main point I hope you take away from this post is the importance of getting screened for diabetes. Take this short test to assess your risk.

Assess Your Risk

What was your score? Mine was 5 out of 10, that’s considered high risk. I knew that because my father had diabetes and developed heart disease as a result. I lost him to his disease many years ago. I wish his diabetes had been discovered sooner and that he had done more to keep it well controlled.

Once you are screened, ask your health care provider how often it should be repeated. There is no one right answer, it depends largely on your risk factors. Anytime you feel seriously ill, especially if you have any of the symptoms of diabetes, you should be tested again.

Testing for diabetes is a simple blood test, relatively inexpensive, so there is no reason not to test adults. Children and teenagers need testing less often, unless there are significant risk factors.

Learn more about diabetes signs in this post

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.

by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

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Dr. Aletha

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.

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.