More than 11 percent of Americans – 38 million adults and children – have diabetes. November is National Diabetes Month and public health organizations are working to increase awareness about diabetes and the complications it can cause. The theme for 2024 is "Take Charge of Tomorrow: Preventing Diabetes Health Problems."
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) explains that diabetes is a disease that occurs when blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Diabetes can cause damage to the kidneys, eyes, heart, and nerves. It is linked to an increased risk of stroke and some types of cancer.
Common Type of Diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, a person’s body doesn’t create insulin, which is the hormone used to control blood sugar. This is because the person’s own immune system has attacked the cells in the body which make insulin. Type 1 diabetes used to be called juvenile diabetes but medical professionals now use updated terms since it can also be diagnosed in adults.
Type 2 diabetes is a disorder in which the body still creates insulin but doesn’t use it effectively enough to control blood sugar. This type of diabetes is the most common, often developing in middle-aged and older adults.
Diabetes and Kidney Health
The kidneys play a crucial role in the human body, removing excess water from the blood, filtering out waste products and making urine. When the kidneys are damaged in chronic kidney disease, they lose their ability to filter, causing toxins and fluids to build up.
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease in the United States: One in three people with diabetes also has kidney disease.
Most people with diabetic kidney disease don’t notice symptoms. NIDDK warns that the only way to know if you have diabetic kidney disease is to get your kidneys checked. Medical professionals recommend testing every year for kidney disease among people who have type 2 diabetes or have had type 1 diabetes for more than five years.
Controlling blood sugar and blood pressure can help to protect kidney health and slow the loss of kidney function.
Prediabetes
Prediabetes is a health condition in which a person’s body may not fully use the insulin it creates (called insulin resistance), or the body may not make enough insulin. NIDDK explains that people who have prediabetes have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. It can progress to type 2 diabetes. In the United States, about 84 million people (1 in 3 adults) have prediabetes.
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data shows that kidney disease is more common in people with prediabetes or undiagnosed diabetes. Data from 1999-2020 indicates that 10-14% of individuals with prediabetes or undiagnosed diabetes had stage 3 or 4 kidney disease.
The good news is that pre-diabetes can be reversable. Increasing physical activity, losing excess weight and eating healthy can all reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes. Some medications can also help to improve peoples’ chances of avoiding or delaying the start of type 2 diabetes. NIDDK notes, “Making a plan, tracking your progress, and getting support from your health care professional, family, and friends can help you make lifestyle changes that may prevent or reverse insulin resistance and prediabetes.”
NIDDK offers these tips:
Know your risk for developing diabetes.
You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you have overweight or obesity; are age 35 or older; have a family history of diabetes; are African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic or Latino, or Pacific Islander; are not physically active; or have prediabetes.
Manage your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Preventing diabetes or managing diabetes as soon as possible after diagnosis may help prevent diabetes health problems. You can start by managing your diabetes ABCs.
A is for the A1C test that health care professionals use to measure your average blood glucose levels. Some people with diabetes also use devices to track their blood glucose throughout the day and night.
B is for blood pressure.
C is for cholesterol.
Ask your health care team what your ABCs goals should be.
Take small steps toward healthy habits.
Lifestyle habits such as planning healthy meals, being physically active, getting enough sleep, and not smoking may help you prevent diabetes or manage your diabetes ABCs. You don’t have to do it all at once. Start slow and build healthier habits from there.
Take your medicines on time.
Remember to take your medicines even if you feel healthy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have trouble taking your medicines on time or at the correct dose.
Reach or maintain a healthy weight.
If you have overweight or obesity, ask your primary care provider if healthy eating, physical activity, or other weight-loss treatments may help you manage your weight.
You may be able to prevent or delay diabetes by losing 5 to 7 percent of your starting weight. Use the Diabetes Risk Management Calculator to determine how much weight you can lose to help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Take care of your mental health.
Managing diabetes can be hard. If you feel down, sad, or overwhelmed, learn about healthy ways to cope with stress. Consider talking to a mental health counselor or joining a support group.
Work with your health care team.
Managing diabetes takes a team. Your health care team may include a primary care provider, diabetes specialist, registered dietitian, or certified diabetes educator. Ask your primary care provider if you should talk with other health care professionals about preventing or managing diabetes.
Diabetes medicines, devices, and office visits can be expensive. A social worker or a member of your health care team may be able to help you find community resources or financial help for diabetes care.
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