This November, Put Your Health First: Diabetes Prevention

By Whitney Venegoni, APRN, FNP-BC, Family Nurse Practitioner

November is National Diabetes Month, recognizing a disease that affects millions of Americans. Diabetes is a chronic condition that can lead to serious complications such as kidney failure, blindness and amputations — but most cases can be prevented.

Insulin

In diabetes, the body does not respond normally to a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels and allows cells to absorb sugar for energy. High levels of sugar in the blood can cause damage throughout the body, putting people with uncontrolled diabetes at risk for serious complications.

Risk factors for developing Type 2 diabetes include being overweight, age 45 or older, having a parent or sibling with diabetes, being physically active fewer than three times per week, having a history of diabetes during pregnancy, or being African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native.

In the early stages, many people with diabetes have no symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms can include fatigue, frequent urination, increased thirst or hunger, blurry vision, slow-healing wounds, unintentional weight loss, and numbness, tingling or pain in the hands or feet.

People at risk of developing diabetes can have lab work done to screen for the disease. These tests include checking blood sugar or hemoglobin A1C levels. Blood sugar provides a snapshot of glucose levels, while hemoglobin A1C offers an average of blood sugar levels over the past three months. When hemoglobin A1C is slightly above normal, it’s called prediabetes. A diagnosis of prediabetes does not mean you will develop Type 2 diabetes, but it does mean you are at higher risk in the future.

Lowering the Risk of Developing Diabetes

There are many ways to lower your risk of developing diabetes and prediabetes. Start with small, sustainable healthy habits. Eat healthier foods first during your meal — for example, eat vegetables and proteins before foods that are higher in carbohydrates. Include more foods with protein, fiber and color, and limit foods with added sugars such as juice, soda and sweets. Drink plenty of water.

Exercise also helps the body respond better to insulin and regulate blood sugar levels. The recommended amount of physical activity is 150 minutes per week. If you are not currently exercising, choose an activity you enjoy such as walking, dancing or swimming. Start with 10 minutes a few times per week — dance for a few minutes before your morning shower or take a short walk during your lunch break. Small changes add up quickly.

If you think you may have diabetes or are at risk, contact your health care provider. To make an appointment at Health Partnership Clinic, call 913-648-2266.

For more information, visit the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org.