Not just restricted to the “month of Thanksgiving,” November also represents a time of awareness for diabetes care and prevention. American Diabetes Month is meant to serve as a reminder to practice good health and diabetes maintenance year-round.
An estimated 18 million people have diabetes, with one out of three people going undiagnosed. Around 40 to 50 million people are pre-diabetic, meaning if treatment in the form of lifestyle change is not implemented, full-blown diabetes could develop.
Diabetes manifests in two forms. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels. It can occur at any age but is often diagnosed in children and young adults, and the exact cause is unknown.
Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, represents 90 percent of all diabetes patients. The risk factors for developing this type of diabetes include age, weight, family history, and lifestyle choices. Type 2 diabetes can be preventable or even controllable for years. “A good diet and exercise have been shown to help pre-diabetes better than any medicine to prevent it from worsening,” says Dr. Reza Rofougaran, an endocrinologist and director of the Diabetes Program at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center.
It is imperative to catch Type 2 diabetes early, but other than the risk factors, warning signs are difficult to determine. For those at risk for pre-diabetes, no warning signs may exist. The best method to halt the development of the disease is routine monitoring of blood sugar and glucose levels.
A major development in diabetes prevention is focused on how diabetes patients are treated in the hospital. People with diabetes get sick more often and are more frequently hospitalized. Currently, most hospitals treat the primary causes for hospitalization first and view diabetes as a secondary illness.
An emerging theory, utilized by Rofougaran’s team, is to treat diabetes as the primary disease. “Our goal is to improve the lives of people with diabetes throughout the hospitalization process,” says Rofougaran.
This campaign starts with the patients. Patients with diabetes are evaluated and receive necessary recommendations in lifestyle change. For other patients, St. Mary’s recognizes and diagnoses diabetes and pre-diabetes at earlier stages.
Although diabetes is such a common and far-reaching disease, many healthcare institutions have cut diabetes programs, and patients are not doing an adequate job of making lifestyle changes.
“There are always ongoing efforts across the year, but this month there is more opportunity,” says Rofougaran. To get involved, donate or volunteer with the American Diabetes Association or a local healthcare facility. The St. Louis chapter of the American Diabetes Association will also be holding events throughout the month. Visit the American Diabetes Association – St. Louis on Facebook for more information.
