November is National Diabetes Month, which is meant to bring awareness to the chronic disease affecting more than 37 million Americans.
As the United States marks National Diabetes Month, it does so amid growing rates of early-onset type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is an incurable metabolic disorder in which the body does not produce enough insulin or is resistant to insulin. Insulin is a critical hormone that converts food into energy and maintains blood glucose levels. If not properly managed, diabetes can lead to more serious health issues, including kidney disease, heart disease, and vision loss, according to the CDC.
Although some individuals are born with diabetes (type 1), others typically acquire it (type 2 and gestational) by maintaining an unhealthy lifestyle.
The CDC estimates that about 98 million adult Americans have pre-diabetes, which is characterized by high blood glucose levels and is linked not only to type 2 diabetes but also to cardiovascular disease and strokes. Although this serious health condition is reversible through diet and exercise, approximately 8 in 10 pre-diabetics are unaware that they have the condition.
The CDC created a video spot featuring puppies to help people determine their risk for pre-diabetes.
Although type 2 diabetes typically strikes adults later in life, a 2020 study found that early-onset cases saw a 4.8% annual surge over a 12-year period beginning in 2002-2003.
The fact that type 2 diabetes is making its presence felt among younger individuals is closely related to the growing prevalence of obesity across age groups. This includes children, as reported by The Dallas Express, with Texas ranking 10th for childhood obesity rates in the country.
For Americans diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, all is not lost. In fact, managing diabetes will soon be easier on their wallets due to the three largest insulin makers — Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and Sanofi — making drastic cuts to their prices for approved generic diabetes medications, as reported by The Dallas Express.
As addressed in the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases’ recent campaign, “Take Charge of Tomorrow,” there are several ways to avoid having serious complications due to a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
Some prevention tips, such as paying close attention to your blood glucose levels and keeping up with your medications, should be no-brainers. However, the agency also recommends making a plan to improve your overall health by taking small but consistent steps toward losing weight, being more physically active, and better coping with stress.
