Know the Risk Factors and Signs of Diabetes

Maine CDC has estimated that 7.8 percent of the adult population in Maine is living with pre-diabetes and 9.5 percent is living with diabetes. November is Diabetes Awareness Month, which serves as a reminder to everyone about the risk factors and cautions related to pre-diabetes and diabetes.

What is Pre-diabetes?

Pre-diabetes is when a person’s blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are higher than normal, but are not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. One in three adults in the U.S. has pre-diabetes and most of them don’t know it. Some of the risk factors for developing pre-diabetes are: adults who are over the age of 45, adults who are not physically active and adults with high blood pressure. Without making lifestyle changes, 15-30 percent will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years. Making some simple lifestyle changes, including: eating healthier, losing weight and being more active make it possible to prevent or delay pre-diabetes from progressing into type 2 diabetes.

For more information visit the Maine National Diabetes Prevention Program information portal at: www.ReThinkDiabetes.org or speak to your doctor to see if you are at risk of pre-diabetes.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that causes high levels of glucose in the blood because insulin is not functioning correctly in the body.

• Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in youth and young adults. The cause is unknown and cannot be prevented, but it can be managed through insulin therapy and living a healthy lifestyle.
• Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be controlled with healthy eating and exercise. 

Steps to Encourage Diabetes Management

1. Managing diabetes is not easy, but it can be done with proper education and support. Take small steps to stay healthy. You don’t have to make big lifestyle changes all at once. Set realistic goals on what’s important to you.
2. Early self-management education and support is important to prevent diabetes-related health problems.  When blood glucose is not in control, it can lead to serious complications.  
3. Managing diabetes is a team effort. Diabetes can be overwhelming. Having a network of support from family, friends and your health care team, can help you stay on track.

To find a Diabetes Self-Management Training program in Maine to help support you in your self-management planning visit:

http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/dcp/educationprogram.htm

For More Information

• http://www.cdc.gov/
• http://www.diabetes.org/
• http://rethinkdiabetes.org/
• https://www.niddk.nih.gov/

People with pre-diabetes can stop type 2 diabetes

Pre-diabetes is when blood sugar levels are higher than normal and puts a person at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.  According to the U.S. CDC and the American Diabetes Association an estimated:

• 86 million adults in the U.S. have pre-diabetes
• 386,000 adults in Maine have pre-diabetes
• $243 million in medical costs contributes to Maine’s economic burden

If pre-diabetes is left undiagnosed and untreated it can progress to type 2 diabetes.  This can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, amputation or death if steps are not taken to self-manage this disease.  There are steps people can take to prevent developing type 2 diabetes.  Lifestyle and behavior changes related to eating and physical activity can decrease a person’s chance of developing type 2 diabetes.

Maine has the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) available in many communities across Maine.  NDPP classes typically last for one hour, once a week for 16 weeks then meets monthly for six months.  It helps participants make real lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, daily physical activity and improving problem-solving and coping skills to help prevent type 2 diabetes.  Many people who complete the program stay in touch with their group for support.  In 2014 alone, over 800 adults in Maine completed the NDPP curriculum.  To find a program and class near you visit RethinkDiabetes.org.  

For more information:

• Maine CDC Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP)
• Rethink Diabetes
• National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP)
  

Be smart about your heart: Control the ABCS of Diabetes

It is estimated that 87,232 Mainers have diabetes and an additional 32,264 have it but do not know they have it.  If left undiagnosed and untreated diabetes can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, amputation, or death.

November is National Diabetes Month.  This year's theme highlights the critical link between diabetes and heart disease.  Adults with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized for a heart attack or die of heart disease and are 1.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for a stroke than adults without diabetes.

Control the ABCS of Diabetes:

• A1c Blood Glucose Level
  • An A1c test shows what your blood glucose (blood sugar) level has been for the last 3 months
  • High blood glucose levels can harm your heart, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes, and feet
• Blood Pressure
  • High blood pressure makes your heart work too hard
  • It can cause heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease
• Cholesterol
  • Bad cholesterol (LDL) can build up and clog your blood vessels
  • Can cause a heart attack or stroke
• Smoking
  • Stop smoking
  • Call the Maine Tobacco Helpline: 1-800-207-1230

Heart disease can be a serious health problem for people with diabetes.  Taking care of your diabetes means you have less chance of having a heart attack or stroke.  Here is what you can do:

• Eat well
• Be active
• Learn how to cope with stress
• Take your medicine
• Stop smoking
• Attend Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT).  Ask your doctor or visit the Maine Diabetes Prevention and Control Program website to find a DSMT in your area

The Maine CDC Diabetes Prevention and Control Program(DPCP) focuses on promoting excellence in diabetes care; increasing access to care; promoting and supporting diabetes self-management education; preventing and reducing diabetes risk factors; and eliminating disparities related to diabetes prevention and control.

For more information, Maine DPCP recommends: 

• National Diabetes Education Program
• National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) 

National Diabetes Awareness Month

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month.

You have the power to help prevent and control diabetes. If you already have diabetes, work to lower your risk of serious complications. If you don't have diabetes, learn if you are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. You may also find out more about the National Diabetes Prevention Program by visiting http://go.usa.gov/W26W. You can take the Pre-Diabetes Risk Quiz, find a Lifestyle Change program near you, or learn more about how you can support family and friends in their prevention of type 2 diabetes. US CDC also has a special feature about diabetes available at http://go.usa.gov/W26R

This year the National Diabetes Education Program is focusing on the theme, “Diabetes is a family affair.” Diabetes is a challenging disease that affects the entire family in many ways. If you are living with diabetes or have a loved one with the disease, family support is very important when it comes to managing diabetes and preventing serious health problems. It's also important to know that if you have a family history of diabetes, such as a mother, father, brother, or sister, you are at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

For more information go to: http://go.usa.gov/W26C

Maine CDC’s Diabetes Prevention and Control Program focuses on promoting excellence in diabetes care; increasing access to care; promoting and supporting diabetes self-management education; preventing and reducing diabetes risk factors; and eliminating disparities related to diabetes prevention and control.

For more information visit: http://go.usa.gov/W26d

Hepatitis B Vaccination for Adults with Diabetes

In recognition of Hepatitis Awareness Month, Maine CDC is featuring a three-part series on viral hepatitis in public health updates released in May.

Part 2: Hepatitis B Vaccination for Adults with Diabetes Mellitus

CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) now recommends hepatitis B vaccination for all unvaccinated adults with diabetes who are younger than 60 years of age. Vaccination should occur as soon as possible after diagnosis of diabetes, and vaccination should also be given to adults diagnosed with diabetes in the past.

Vaccination requires 3 doses at 0, 1, and 6 months, although other schedules are available. Longer intervals between doses are possible so that it is not necessary for patients to make extra medical visits for vaccination. However, longer intervals will leave adults with diabetes at risk for hepatitis B infection until the vaccination series is completed.

On the basis of available information about hepatitis B virus (HBV) risk, morbidity and mortality, available vaccines, age at diagnosis of diabetes, and cost-effectiveness, ACIP recommends the following:

• Hepatitis B vaccination should be administered to unvaccinated adults with diabetes mellitus who are aged 19 through 59 years (recommendation category A; evidence type 2).
• Hepatitis B vaccination may be administered at the discretion of the treating clinician to unvaccinated adults with diabetes mellitus who are aged ≥60 years (recommendation category B; evidence type 2).

For more information:

• CDC Expert Commentary on Hepatitis B Vaccine for Adults with Diabetes
• Use of Hepatitis B Vaccination for Adults with Diabetes Mellitus: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) 
• www.mainepublichealth.gov/hep

American Diabetes Month

The President has proclaimed November to be National Diabetes Month.

You have the power to prevent and control diabetes. If you already have diabetes, work to lower your risk of serious complications. If you don't have the disease, learn if you are at risk for type 2 diabetes.

America is facing an epidemic of diabetes, a serious disease that damages bodies and shortens lives. In the next four decades, the number of US adults with diabetes is estimated to double or triple, according to US CDC scientists. That means anywhere from 20 to 33 percent of adults could have the disease. About 1 in 9 adults have diabetes now, and it’s the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.

If you already have diabetes, managing the disease can lower your risk of complications such as kidney failure, heart disease and stroke, blindness, and amputations of legs and feet. Here are some important steps to take to control diabetes:

• Talk to your health care provider about how to manage your blood glucose (A1c), blood pressure, and cholesterol.
• Stop smoking and do not use any other tobacco products.
• Get a flu vaccine. For those with diabetes, type 1 and type 2, it is important to ask for the "shot" version. Talk to your health care provider about a pneumonia (pneumococcal) shot. People with diabetes are more likely to die from pneumonia or influenza than people who do not have diabetes. CDC recommends that everybody aged 6 months and older get a flu vaccine, including family members of people with diabetes.
• Reach or stay at a healthy weight.
• Make sure you're physically active. Plan for 2 hours and 30 minutes each week of moderate physical activity, such as walking quickly or gardening, or 1 hour and 15 minutes each week of vigorous physical activity, such as jogging or jumping rope. Add muscle strengthening activities on 2 or more days each week. Physical activity can help you control your weight, blood glucose, and blood pressure, as well as raise your "good" cholesterol and lower your "bad" cholesterol.

Ways You Can Help Prevent Diabetes

Having a condition called prediabetes means you are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes within 3 to 6 years. People with prediabetes have blood glucose (sugar) levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. An estimated one of every three U.S. adults has prediabetes, yet just 7% of those with prediabetes know they have it. Prediabetes increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Click below to learn whether or not you are at risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

 

Prediabetes Screening Test

Research trials have shown that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed in people at high risk for the disease who make lifestyle changes. Weight loss of 5 to 7 percent (about 10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person) and increasing physical activity to 150 minutes per week can reduce or delay the development of type 2 diabetes by nearly 60 percent. You can find written and electronic resources to help through the National Diabetes Education Program, sponsored by US CDC and the National Institutes of Health, and community-based group classes through the US CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program.

For more information, visit Maine CDC’s Diabetes Prevention and Control Program