Monthly WellPATH Spotlight November 2018: Diabetes

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1 Monthly WellPATH Spotlight November 2018: Understanding : Prevention & Diagnosis, the most common disorder of the endocrine (hormone) system, occurs when blood sugar levels in the body consistently stay above normal. It affects more than 30 million people in the U.S. alone. The disease brought on by either the body's inability to make insulin (type 1 diabetes) or by the body not responding to the effects of insulin (type 2 diabetes). It can also appear during pregnancy. Insulin is one of the main hormones that regulates blood sugar levels and allows the body to use sugar (called glucose) for energy. Review the spotlight to learn more about diabetes prevention and diagnosis, and complete the monthly quiz for a chance to win a $25 gift card. Prevention While there is still no cure for diabetes, there is good news; the progression from prediabetes to diabetes is not inevitable. The National Institutes of Health clinical trial, the Prevention Program, found that for people with prediabetes modest lifestyle changes led to weight loss of 5 to 7 percent in participants and can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 58% in individuals at high risk. prevention is as basic as eating more healthfully, becoming more physically active and losing a few extra pounds. It's never too late to start. Making a few simple changes in your lifestyle now may help you avoid the serious health complications of diabetes down the road, such as nerve, kidney and heart damage. Consider the latest diabetes prevention tips from the American Association. 1

2 1. Get more physical activity There are many benefits to regular physical activity. Exercise can help you: Lose weight Lower your blood sugar Boost your sensitivity to insulin which helps keep your blood sugar within a normal range Research shows that aerobic exercise and resistance training can help control diabetes. The greatest benefit comes from a fitness program that includes both. 2. Get plenty of fiber It's rough, it's tough and it may help you: Reduce your risk of diabetes by improving your blood sugar control Lower your risk of heart disease Promote weight loss by helping you feel full Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and nuts. 3. Go for whole grains It's not clear why, but whole grains may reduce your risk of diabetes and help maintain blood sugar levels. Try to make at least half your grains whole grains. Many foods made from whole grains come ready to eat, including various breads, pasta products and cereals. Look for the word "whole" on the package and among the first few items in the ingredient list. 4. Lose extra weight If you're overweight, diabetes prevention may hinge on weight loss. Every pound you lose can improve your health, and you may be surprised by how much. Participants in one large study who lost a modest amount of weight around 7 percent of initial body weight and exercised regularly reduced the risk of developing diabetes by almost 60 percent. 5. Skip fad diets and just make healthier choices Low-carb diets, the glycemic index diet, or other fad diets may help you lose weight at first. But their effectiveness at preventing diabetes isn't known nor are their long-term effects. And by excluding or strictly limiting a particular food group, you may be giving 2

3 up essential nutrients. Instead, make variety and portion control part of your healthyeating plan. When to see your doctor If you're older than age 45 and your weight is normal, ask your doctor if diabetes testing is appropriate for you. The American Association recommends blood glucose screening if: You're age 45 or older and overweight You're younger than age 45 and overweight, with one or more additional risk factors for type 2 diabetes such as a sedentary lifestyle or a family history of diabetes What is Prediabetes? Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have "prediabetes" blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Doctors sometimes refer to prediabetes as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG), depending on what test was used when it was detected. This condition puts you at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. There are no clear symptoms of prediabetes, so, you may have it and not know it. Some people with prediabetes may have some of the symptoms of diabetes or even problems from diabetes already. You usually find out that you have prediabetes when being tested for diabetes. If you have prediabetes, you should be checked for type 2 diabetes every one to two years. Diagnosing There are several ways to diagnose diabetes. Each way usually needs to be repeated on a second day to diagnose diabetes. If your doctor determines that your blood glucose level is very high, or if you have classic symptoms of high blood glucose in addition to one positive test, your doctor may not require a second test to diagnose diabetes. 3

4 A1C The A1C test measures your average blood glucose for the past 2 to 3 months. The advantages of being diagnosed this way are that you don't have to fast or drink anything. is diagnosed at an A1C of greater than or equal to 6.5% after two separate test. A1C Normal less than 5.7% Prediabetes 5.7% to 6.4% 6.5% or higher Please note that an A1C test is included in the FREE WellPATH Know Your Numbers wellness screening! Contact WellPATH to learn more. Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) This test checks your fasting blood glucose levels. Fasting means after not having anything to eat or drink (except water) for at least 8 hours before the test. This test is usually done first thing in the morning, before breakfast. is diagnosed at fasting blood glucose of greater than or equal to 126 mg/dl after two separate tests. Normal Prediabetes Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) less than 100 mg/dl 100 mg/dl to 125 mg/dl 126 mg/dl or higher 4

5 Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (also called the OGTT) The OGTT is a two-hour test that checks your blood glucose levels before and 2 hours after you drink a special sweet drink. It tells the doctor how your body processes glucose. is diagnosed at 2-hour blood glucose of greater than or equal to 200 mg/dl. Normal Prediabetes Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) less than 140 mg/dl 140 mg/dl to 199 mg/dl 200 mg/dl or higher Work With Your Health Care Team Most people with diabetes get health care from a primary care professional. Primary care professionals include internists, family physicians, and pediatricians. Sometimes physician assistants and nurses with extra training, called nurse practitioners, provide primary care. You also will need to see other care professionals from time to time. A team of health care professionals can help you improve your diabetes self-care. Remember, you are the most important member of your health care team. 5