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.
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.
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.
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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.
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