World Diabetes Day and American Diabetes Month

Today, on World Diabetes Day, we join hands for American Diabetes Month. This year, the American Diabetes Association is encouraging all of us to join the fight against diabetes by lifting our loved ones and those in need and moving closer to a cure.

No matter where we are on our journey and how diabetes impacts our lives, being here and reading about diabetes to learn about this deadly disease is the best place we ought to be. For those newly diagnosed, for those living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, for those helping loved ones, our families, and our friends, there is a way to live our best and healthier lives. The first crucial step is awareness and understanding then conscientiously taking action and sticking to it.

Signs and Symptoms

These are the typical symptoms of diabetes but sometimes they can be so mild that they go unnoticed by most:

• Frequent urination
• Feeling very thirsty
• Feeling very hungry even with meals
• Extreme fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Minor injuries like cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
• Weight loss even though eating adequately for Type 1
• Tingling, pain, or numbness in hands or feet for Type 2

Diagnosis

Several methods are used to diagnose diabetes with possible repeat tests to confirm the diagnosis. Testing is done in a health care setting in a doctor’s office or at the laboratory. Healthcare providers will determine whether the blood sugar level is very high or borderline with classic symptoms of diabetes.

• A1C – this tests average blood glucose for the last 2-3 months without the need for fasting. Normal A1C is less than 5.7%. Prediabetes range is from 5.7% to 6.4% and diabetes is 6.5% or higher.
• Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) – this checks the fasting blood glucose levels. This test requires fasting for at least 8 hours without eating or drinking except for water. This is usually done first thing in the morning before breakfast. The normal level is less than 100mg/dL. Prediabetes range is 100mg/dL to 125mg/dL and 126mg/dL or higher would indicate diabetes.
• Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) – a 2-hour test that checks how the body processes large amounts of sugar. Blood glucose levels are checked before and 2 hours after a special sweet drink. Less than 140mg/dL would be normal. Prediabetes will range from 140 to 199mg/dL. 200mg/dL or a higher result for OGTT will be considered a positive screening for diabetes.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is a health condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal although not enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 96 million American adults have prediabetes and more than 80% don’t know that they have it. This condition is also referred to as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG). This will increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. There are no clear symptoms so it usually goes unnoticed and will only be diagnosed if checked for diabetes. If indeed diagnosed with prediabetes, an annual check for type 2 diabetes is recommended.

Prevention

The good news is prediabetes doesn’t always have to lead to type 2 diabetes. Early diagnosis and treatment can help level blood glucose to the normal range.

Lifestyle change is the primary program for diabetes prevention. This can effectively reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in half. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) together with CDC is implementing a proven research-based, structured lifestyle change known as the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) to help prevent and delay developing type 2 diabetes. The program will have specific goals and will be followed up with sessions to stay on track with the following goals:

• Making small changes to diet without completely removing food preferences
• Increasing physical activity levels to at least 30 minutes a few days a week
• Effective management of stress

Small changes can always lead to something big. By diligently following the program, a healthier and better quality of life awaits. Learning how to effectively deal with stress will help lighten the load of everyday life. In turn, the ability to live independently, healthy, and active with aging while keeping up with the younger generation will be possible.

Another program for prevention is in store for employees with the Employer’s Prevention for Life at Work by providing coverage for the NDPP lifestyle change program. This will result in decreased cost of providing health care to employees over time, improved health of high-risk employees, higher productivity as employees can engage more and do more, and increased employee retention thus a win-win set-up at work.

What’s next?

Prediabetes and even diabetes don’t always present with clear symptoms so it may already be present and just not diagnosed. However, prediabetes is common before developing type 2 diabetes and it is possible to have symptoms or some may already have complications. Early diagnosis of prediabetes does not always mean it will lead to type 2 diabetes, particularly if a treatment plan is followed with lifestyle changes. Small changes in food choices and physical activity can change lives. Start today, and learn more about the risk for diabetes or prediabetes. Get tested and be a step ahead by jumpstarting a prevention program.

Author

Jenna Wishnew Dr Wishnew is a Board Certified General Surgeon practicing in the North Texas area She specializes in general surgery, gastroparesis, wound care, vein concerns and robotic surgery.