November is Diabetes Awareness Month

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month announced the American Diabetes Association.

Nearly 30 million American children and adults have diabetes. Another 86 million Americans have pre-diabetes. Every American family has one or more members with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Recent studies estimate that one in three Americans will have diabetes by 2050 unless people take action to exercise and eat healthy. Maverick County is no exception as an estimated 25% or greater of local children and adults have diabetes and approximately 50% of local residents have pre-diabetes.

Diabetes has a devastating cost on humans health causing kidney failure, blindness, amputation of body parts, heart attacks, high blood pressure, and greater health problems. Diabetes costs Americans $245 Billion a year in health care costs. One in five health care dollars are spent on treating people with diabetes.

Medical doctors and health wellness studies report that regular exercise of 30 minutes three times a week and eating more healthy meals including fruits and vegetables can prevent diabetes or reduce diabetes.

Diabetes Mellitus is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. As most of the food we consume is turned into glucose (sugar) in which our body then uses for energy, the pancreas creates a hormone called insulin which helps glucose get into the cells of our bodies. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes sugar to build up in your blood.

There are two types of Diabetes, Type 1 Diabetes which was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or juvenile-onset diabetes, may account for about 5% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes, and Type 2 Diabetes which was previously called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetes, accounts for 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only pregnant women get. If not treated, it can cause problems for mothers and babies. Gestational diabetes develops in 2% to 10% of all pregnancies but usually disappears when a pregnancy is over.

Other specific types of diabetes resulting from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses may account for 1% to 5% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Pre-diabetes is an elevated blood glucose level that is not quite high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes, but is higher than normal. One in three American adults has pre-diabetes, and most do not even know they have it. Many people with pre-diabetes who do not lose weight or do moderate physical activity will develop Type 2 diabetes within three years.

Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations of the foot, toe or leg. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

You are at increased risk for developing pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes if you are 45 years of age or older, are overweight, have a family history of type 2 diabetes, are physically active fewer than three times per week, ever gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds, or ever had diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes).

Researchers are making progress in identifying the exact genetics and “triggers” that predispose some individuals to develop type 1 diabetes, but prevention remains elusive.

A number of studies have shown that regular physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity.

The CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program is an evidence-based lifestyle change program for preventing type 2 diabetes.

It can help people cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes in half. The Diabetes Prevention Program research study showed that making modest behavior changes helped participants lose 5% to 7% of their body weight—that is 10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person. These lifestyle changes reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% in people with pre-diabetes. Participants work with a lifestyle coach in a group setting to receive a 1-year lifestyle change program that includes 16 core sessions (usually 1 per week) and 6 post-core sessions (1 per month).

You don’t have to do this alone. Prevent or delay type 2 diabetes today by learning about its risks and making lifestyle changes with a group in your community.

For more information on preventing or treating Diabetes in Maverick County, please consult with your physician or visit the United Medical Centers at 2525 N. Veterans Boulevard or call them at (830) 773-5358 and the Maverick County Hospital District Diabetes Self-Management Education Program at 3406 Bob Rogers Drive or call them at (830) 757-4900.