Diabetes Awareness Month. Are you aware? Good, now what?

     We are in the midst of Diabetes Awareness Month. Are you aware? Good, now what? It’s easy to miss the forests for the trees: don’t focus on diabetes as a sugar problem; it’s mostly a blood vessel problem.
For those of you who are proud of “not having” diabetes, look hard at whether you are closer than you think. Many overweight, inactive Americans have average glucose readings (A-1-C levels) that are not normal but not quite diabetes. The new normal levels are under 5.7, not 6.0. If your A1c levels are not ideal, then your arteries could be in trouble. Don’t think clogged arteries are just about heart attacks. Yov’ve heard the ED commercials: arteries with fatty plaques can get reduced blood supply to the genitalia.

When the retina gets less flow, then excessive number of small vessels form, which leads to blindness. Other complications of even “borderline” diabetes are kidney damage, strokes, blood clots, poor leg circulation, etc.     Are you aware now? Let’s look at American Diabetes Association (ADA) (Diabetes.org):
-November 14 is the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, the co-discoverer of insulin.
-2010 slogan is Let’s Take Control of Diabetes.

-an epidemic: 24 million Americans have diabetes now; 57 million more are at risk.
-kills more Americans each year than breast cancer and AIDS combined.
     The ADA makes us aware that symptoms may seem harmless and delay getting diagnosed:
Type 1 diabetics might have an increase in urination, thirst and hunger. There might be weight loss and fatigue,
Type 2 diabetics may have additional symptoms (Used to be called Adult Onset Diabetes, but now there are so many overweight teens getting it). An increase in infections and delay in healing. There may be blurred vision or funny sensations in the extremities.
But maybe the most important symptom the ADA mentions that: “Often people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms!”

“Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed. Thirty minutes a day, five days a week, of moderate physical activity (such as brisk walking) and a 7% reduction in body weight (or about 15 pounds if you weigh 200 pounds) can help lower your risk for type 2 diabetes,” commented Mayer-Davis. “In addition, many diabetes complications, whether you have type 1 or type 2, can be prevented or delayed with exercise and healthy eating.”
      ADA might borrow a slogan from breast cancer awareness: you’re at risk if you’re female and getting older… A crude slogan for diabetes awareness could be:
     If you’re breathing, overweight and inactive (like most Americans), get tested for pre-diabetes and diabetes. And don’t forget the extra risk if it runs in your family.
If you have symptoms, or no symptoms, and you have some risk factors, get tested.
     Ask about your A1c levels. And while you‘re there, ask about advanced cholesterol testing. Controlling cholesterol goes hand in hand with complications of diabetes control.
     There are good medicines for diabetes, but it is better to prevent this disease that never goes away, only controlled. Don’t be a victim to statistics that show that over a decade. 60 % of pre-diabetics become diabetics. Be a victor with brisk walks, a little weight loss and whole grains. Those who do it reduce their risk down to only 25% chance of getting diabetes.

     Do you consider yourself aware now, or just confused about diabetes? Talk it over with your primary care provider and get regular follow-ups.