Secrets to preventing diabetes

Every day in 2007, nearly 4,400 people 20 years and older found out they have diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All together, about 8 percent of the U.S. population, or 23.6 million people, had this disease that year.

For diabetics, TRICARE may cover:

Durable medical equipment, such as insulin pumps
Diabetic supplies, such as glucose test strips
A diabetes self-management and training service

For more details, visit the TRICARE Diabetes Coverage.

With this epidemic across the U.S., what can you do for yourself and your children to prevent diabetes? It really starts by knowing this enemy. With November as American Diabetes Month, now is a great time to learn.

What is diabetes?

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) defines diabetes as “a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin.” Insulin is the hormone that controls blood sugar levels. Without proper insulin production, people may end up with very high blood sugar, which if left untreated, may lead to kidney disease, diabetic coma and even death.

Diabetes has two forms:

Type 1 diabetes: Most commonly diagnosed in children and young adults, type 1 diabetes keeps the body from producing insulin. Treatment may include insulin via injections or a pump.
Type 2 diabetes: This is the most common form of diabetes. Here, the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body’s cells ignore the insulin. Treatment may include diet and exercise plans, as well as medication.

A number of serious conditions, some life-threatening, are associated with diabetes. Some of these are heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, blindness and other complications such as kidney disease, nervous system problems and tooth and gum disease. Diabetes can also increase the risk of sexual dysfunction in men and women.

Pre-diabetes

People almost always develop “pre-diabetes” before advancing to type 2 diabetes, says the ADA. Those with pre-diabetes have blood sugar levels greater than normal, but not yet high enough to be diabetic. Research has shown those who manage their blood sugar levels after a pre-diabetes diagnosis can either delay or completely prevent type 2 diabetes from developing, according to the ADA.

A doctor can test a patient for pre-diabetes using one of two tests: the fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) or the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Prevention

The keys to preventing these conditions are exercise and proper eating habits. Eat a well-balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, fiber, lean protein and non-fat dairy products. Limit foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat. The ADA’s Diabetes Prevention Program study showed that just 30 minutes of moderate physical activity daily, along with a 5-10 percent reduction in body weight, may reduce the chance of diabetes up to 58 percent. Even if you’ve been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, you can still incorporate these lifestyle changes and ward off the condition altogether.

Also be aware of your family history. Those who have family members with diabetes are more prone to the disease. Statistically, diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, says the ADA.

Learn more about healthy living habits at TriWests’s Healthy Living Portal.

Published Date: 11/02/2009