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Diabetes Awareness Month
What is Diabetes
The body either doesn’t produce or use insulin, which converts foods into energy. Its exact cause is unclear, though both genetics and environmental factors play a role.
Diabetes affects roughly seven percent of children and adults in the U.S., nearly a third undiagnosed until complications appear. It’s estimated one in three Americans born in 2000 will develop diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association recognizes four different types—Type 1, Type 2 (the most frequently diagnosed), gestational, and pre-diabetes.
Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
- Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and/or impaired fasting glucose (IFG)
- Over age 45
- Family history of diabetes
- Overweight
- Lack of regular exercise
- Low HDL cholesterol or high triglycerides, high blood pressure
- Being a member of certain racial and ethnic groups: Non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanic/Latino Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and American Indians and Alaska Natives
- Gestational diabetes, or giving birth to a 9-lb or heavier baby
What are other warning signs?
- Frequent urination
- Unusual thirst and/or extreme hunger
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme fatigue and/or irritability
- Frequent infections or recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections
- Wounds slow to heal
- Blurred vision
- Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet
Complications of Diabetes
The fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., diabetes greatly increases serious health risks (two out of three diabetics die of heart disease):
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Strokes
- Heart attack
- Diabetic neuropathy (painful sensations in feet, legs, and hands, and/or digestion problems such as nausea, bloating, and diarrhea)
- Kidney damage
- Vision loss
- Foot and skin problems
- Depression
Managing Diabetes
Keeping blood sugar as normal as possible helps reduce the risk of complications. Many with Type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar by following a healthy meal plan and exercise program, losing excess weight, and taking medication. In addition, many also need medication to control blood pressure and cholesterol.
Of adults with diabetes, 57% take oral medication only; 16% insulin only; 15% neither insulin nor oral meds; and 12% insulin and oral meds. However, everyone with diabetes must monitor their blood sugar levels to make sure they are within the ranges set forth by the American Diabetes Association or a physician.
If you have diabetes, you will need to use a blood glucose meter to monitor your blood sugar levels. Here are some factors that will help you choose a meter that’s right for you:
- Which one your doctor or pharmacist recommends
- Special needs, like large display, small sample size, or alternate site testing
- Cost; some insurance companies only pay for a certain meter—if you must pay cash, check for rebates or coupons
- Ease of use, maintenance, cleaning, and calibration
If you have questions about diabetes, please speak with your doctor or Publix pharmacist.
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Smart Choices for People with Diabetes
BAYERŽ
BAYER® HEART HEALTH ADVANTAGE,™ an aspirin-free phytosterol (proven to lower bad cholesterol*) may be added to your regimen. Talk to your doctor.
*Not a replacement for cholesterol-lowering medications. See package for phytosterol information.
BAYER® LOW-DOSE ASPIRIN can reduce heart attack risk by up to 30% and second heart attack risk by up to 20–25%, for those at appropriate risk as determined by a doctor.
Aspirin is not appropriate for everyone, so talk to your doctor before you begin or modify an aspirin regimen. Use as directed.
GLUCERNAŽ
Glucerna® products give you options any time, every day. Including shakes, bars, and cereal in your meal plan is a smart way to help get the right kinds of carbs. The slowly digested carbohydrates in Glucerna products are designed to help manage blood sugar.
Enjoy crunchy, delicious Glucerna Cereal for breakfast, a Glucerna Meal Bar and a salad for lunch, and creamy Glucerna Shakes or Snack Bars on coffee breaks or before bedtime.
FREESTYLE FREEDOM LITEŽ & FREESTYLE LITEŽ
- No coding saves time and hassle
- Significantly smaller sample size
- 1-minute blood reapplication time for fewer wasted test strips
- Be relieved with greater simplicity
Eliminate diabetes burdens with the Freestyle Promise™ Program.
- Save up to $600 a year on test strip co-pays
- Get personalized health expertise
- Access product service and support
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