Are You At Risk for Diabetes?

By Momivate's "Energy" CouncilMom, Ericka Moore

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Photo by David Moruzzi on Unsplash.com

According to the CDC, “34.2 million US adults have diabetes, and 1 in 5 of them don’t even know they have it. In the last 20 years, adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled.” These statistics are sobering and should serve as a call to action to improve our health.
 
What is diabetes?


The CDC notes it is “a chronic condition that affects how your body turns food into energy.” It is apparent because blood glucose or blood sugar when measured is too high. Glucose is a source of energy from food. When your body needs to break it down, insulin (a hormone) is secreted from your pancreas and allows the glucose to get into your cells to use for energy. If your body does not utilize insulin well (or does not make enough), sugar stays in the bloodstream instead of going to the cells leading to a plethora of health issues. These health issues include: heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye problems, dental disease, nerve damage and foot problems.
 
An individual can be diagnosed as:

• Type I Diabetes (usually diagnosed in children or young adults) the body does not make insulin so they take insulin daily,
• Type II Diabetes (usually diagnosed in adults but becoming common in children) the body does not utilize insulin well or does not make enough insulin. Medication may be required.
• Gestational Diabetes (diagnosed during pregnancy) when the baby is born, this type of diabetes goes away but leaves the mother at increased risk for type II diabetes later in life. Breastfeeding is encouraged in this population because it improves insulin sensitivity which allows the mother’s body to use glucose more effectively.

Prediabetes is “when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.” (CDC). This diagnosis can be turned around through a healthy diet and lifestyle change.
 
If diagnosed with diabetes, it is important to work with your healthcare provider in order to establish an effective healthcare plan which may include medication. Lifestyle changes such as increasing daily activity (exercising), quitting smoking, losing weight, and choosing a healthy diet with fruit and veggies and minimal processed foods are keys to success.

Also, knowing your ABCs is vital to maintaining your health when diagnosed with diabetes:
 

• "A" stands for "A1C" – A1C is a blood test that shows what your average blood sugar level has been during the last few months.
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• "B" stands for "blood pressure" – If you have diabetes, controlling your blood pressure is just as important as controlling your blood sugar. High blood pressure puts you at risk for heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
  
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• "C" stands for "cholesterol" (uptodate.com)

 

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