Have you seen that commercial for Jardiance where the Jardiance spokesperson tells people on the street that those with Type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to die from a cardiovascular event like a heart attack, or stroke? It’s true. And just like in the commercial, it turns out that many don’t realize just how serious diabetes is. I find that very frustrating.
Do you have diabetes?
If so, you are among a large and steadily growing number of people. You need to understand the havoc it can cause on your body.
Until your blood glucose, a type of sugar, is sky high, you probably won’t feel anything in particular when your level is high, just like those with hypertension don’t feel their high blood pressure. Meanwhile that high blood sugar causes changes in your body that increase your risk of many health problems and diseases including heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, impotence, nerve damage — the list goes on and on. And yes, the list includes stroke and Alzheimer’s.
Maybe you don’t have outright diabetes, but you’ve been told you have prediabetes. That means your blood glucose is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diabetes. It also means that if you continue and don’t make some lifestyle changes, you will develop diabetes. Almost half of people do.
What makes you more or less likely to develop diabetes and prediabetes?
Age is an important risk factor. Being over 45 increases your risk of prediabetes. And about 25% of Americans 60 and above have full blown diabetes. That’s because years of living a less than healthy lifestyle add up. You’ve been eating the wrong foods and not eating the right ones. You haven’t been exercising regularly. You’ve missed too much quality sleep.
Other risk factors:
- having a first-degree family member with diabetes
- being from a high-risk ethnicity, ie. African American, Hispanic, Asian American, Native American
- being overweight or obese
- having high blood pressure
- having low HDL cholesterol or high triglycerides
- having vascular disease
- an inactive or sedentary lifestyle
- having gestational diabetes
- having evidence of insulin resistance such as polycystic ovarian syndrome
How do you know if you’re diabetic or prediabetic?
Even if you feel fine, make sure you see your doctor at least once a year. Your annual physical should include bloodwork. If you do find out you have diabetes or prediabetes, there are things you can do about it. Number one on the list should be to lose weight. Studies have shown that for many people, exercising and losing just 5% of body weight can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by more than 50%.
Diabetes Type 2 is caused by insulin resistance. You eat, the sugar level in your blood goes up and in response your pancreas releases insulin into your bloodstream. Normally that insulin allows your cells to pick up the glucose and turn it into energy. But with diabetes type 2 your cells become less able to use insulin properly. The glucose remains in the blood so the level stays high. Your body senses this and calls on the pancreas to make more insulin. Over time your pancreas makes more and more insulin trying to get that blood glucose level down. Eventually your pancreas just can’t keep up.
Losing weight makes it more likely that you return to normal. Start by reducing your white carbohydrate intake — sugar, rice, flour. It helps because your body won’t need as much insulin. Eat more fruits and vegetables.
For more ways to win against prediabetes and diabetes type 2, stay tuned…
