November is Diabetes Awareness Month
The focus for this year’s campaign is “Taking action to prevent diabetes health problems”.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 37 million Americans are living with diabetes and 96 million are living with pre-diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic health condition which affects how your body turns food into energy. Your body breaks down foods containing carbohydrates into sugar or glucose. This sugar is released into your bloodstream. When your blood sugar goes up, your pancreas releases insulin, a hormone which moves sugar into your body’s cells to be used as energy. If your body doesn’t make enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly, too much sugar stays in your blood. Over time, this can cause problems with your heart, kidneys, and eyes. Fasting blood sugar greater than 126 mg/dl indicates diabetes or A1C 6.5% or higher.
When diagnosed with prediabetes blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Fasting blood sugar of 100-125 mg/dl or A1C between 5.7 and 6.4% indicates prediabetes. Prediabetes raises your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Lifestyle modifications such as increased physical activity, moderate portion sizes of well-balanced meals, setting achievable goals and managing stress can help to manage prediabetes.
- Manage you blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels:
– Ask your doctor what your goals should be and stay informed about your A1C level. - Take small steps towards healthy habits:
– Take small steps to eat healthier, be more physically active, and get enough sleep. - Take your medicines on time:
– Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for help if you have trouble managing your medicines. - Reach or maintain a healthy weight:
– Taking off just 5% to 10% (10 to 20 pounds for a 200-pound person) can help to manage blood sugars. Some people require less diabetes medication when they lose weight. Weight loss can be achieved with at least 150 minutes of brisk walking each week and planning healthy balanced meals. - Take care of your mental health:
– A mental health counselor may help you find healthy ways to cope with stress. - Work with your health care team:
– Speak with your primary care provider to see if a diabetes specialist, registered dietitian, and/or certified diabetes educator can help manage your blood sugars. Social workers can assist with community resources to help with diabetes medicines, blood glucose monitoring devices and office visits.
Considering cold and flu season is upon us, blood sugars can be challenging to manage if you become ill. It is important to follow these steps:
- Continue taking your insulin and diabetes pills as prescribed.
- Test your blood sugar every four hours and keep track of the results.
- Drink plenty of fluids – four to six ounces every half hour to prevent dehydration. You may need to drink beverages with sugar if you cannot take in 50 grams of carbohydrates every four hours from other food choices. Drink sips of these sweet beverages to keep you blood sugar from getting too high.
- Weigh yourself every day. Losing weight without trying is a sign of high blood glucose.
- Check your temperature every morning and evening. A fever may be a sign of infection.
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health