October has brought some cooler temperatures and before we know it, we will start planning for Thanksgiving feasts. While many of us associate November with gratitude and family gatherings, it’s also a critical time for health awareness.
November is American Diabetes Awareness Month, a time dedicated to focusing our collective attention on a disease that affects millions of Americans and their families every single day.
As a nurse, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of diabetes. It’s a relentless condition that requires constant vigilance, but I’ve also witnessed the incredible strength and resilience of those who manage it. One of the most powerful tools we have in this fight is knowledge. Awareness is the first step toward prevention, early diagnosis and effective management.
Understanding the basics: More than just “sugar”
Beth Tremblay
At its core, diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Glucose is our body’s main source of energy, and it comes from the food we eat. A hormone called insulin, made by the pancreas, acts like a key, allowing that glucose to enter our cells to be used for energy.
When everything is working correctly, our body knows how to use and store sugars. However, with a chronic condition known as diabetes, this system breaks down. When your body cannot bring blood sugar levels down, the excess glucose remains circulating in your bloodstream. This state is known as hyperglycemia.
Over time, this persistently high blood sugar acts like a toxin, systematically damaging tissues and organs throughout the body. The real danger of unmanaged diabetes lies in the long-term complications that can develop silently over years:
Cardiovascular Disease: Chronically high glucose levels damage the inner lining of blood vessels, making them more susceptible to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). This dramatically increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure.
Kidney disease (nephropathy): The tiny filtering units in the kidneys become overworked and damaged from filtering so much sugar from the blood. This can lead to chronic kidney disease and, eventually, kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant.
Nerve damage (neuropathy): High blood sugar can injure nerve fibers, particularly in the legs and feet. This can cause tingling, numbness, burning pain and a dangerous loss of sensation. A lack of feeling can lead to unnoticed injuries or sores that may result in serious infections and even amputation.
Eye damage (retinopathy): The delicate blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eye can be damaged, leading to vision problems and, if left untreated, blindness. Did you know that diabetes is a leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults?
There are a few main types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes: This is an autoimmune condition where the body mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day to survive. It’s typically diagnosed in children and young adults, but it can appear at any age.
Type 2 diabetes: This is the most common form. With Type 2, your body either doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the cells don’t use the insulin properly (a condition called insulin resistance). This type is often linked to lifestyle factors like diet and exercise, though some people are genetically more prone to develop Type diabetes. This type of diabetes is also more common in older adults.
Gestational diabetes: This type develops in some women during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is born. However, having gestational diabetes increases the mother’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
The scary part? An estimated 8.5 million adults in the United States have diabetes and don’t even know it. Millions more have prediabetes, putting them at risk for developing diabetes.
Prevention and management: Small steps, big impact
The good news is that for Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for more than 90% of cases, lifestyle modifications can make a world of difference. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress.
Embrace a balanced plate: Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables (such as broccoli, spinach and green beans), a quarter with lean protein (chicken, fish or beans), and a quarter with whole grains or starchy vegetables (brown rice, quinoa or sweet potato).
Get moving: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. That is just 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Moderate intensity means reaching 64% to 76% of your maximum heart rate. This is when you are breathing faster, you can still talk, but you can’t sing.
Know your numbers: Talk to your primary care provider who can review your personal and family. Your primary care provider may order a blood test called a hemoglobin A1C. This test can see what your average daily blood sugars have been for the past three months.
Visit the American Diabetes Association website: For over 80 years, the ADA has been on the front lines, working to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by it. Take their 60-second Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test online.
Get inspired to try healthy recipes for your own Thanksgiving table. And when you make your donations to your local food pantry, consider donating cash that can be used for fresh produce and other healthy foods that are not necessarily shelf stable. Heavily processed foods don’t have the level of vitamins, minerals and fiber to stay healthy.
Every small, informed choice you make is a step toward a healthier future for you, the people you love and our whole community.
Stay well, neighbors, and send me your questions at thenurseisinwg@gmail.com.
