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Nearly 1 in 10 Americans has diabetes ¹ and 1.4 million more are diagnosed with diabetes every year.² Suffice it to say, diabetes is an epidemic that affects many of us. In this month’s post, we discuss diabetes prevention and myths as well as explaining various stages of diabetes.

Prevention & Myths

Many factors may contribute to someone receiving a diabetes diagnosis including genetics and factors such as excess weight and inactivity.³ While genetics is one factor, studies have shown that making healthy lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a healthy weight and diet as well as excising at least 30 minutes a day, can help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.⁴

There are also many myths about diabetes which cloud people’s understanding of how serious the disease is and also how making simple changes can help manage the disease. Many people believe that diabetics must follow a specific diet. The truth is that people with diabetes should stick to the same healthy diet as everyone else — that means lots of whole grains, fruits and vegetables and limiting fat and refined sugar. Additionally, it is a common misconception that if you are overweight or obese you will develop type 2 diabetes. As we mentioned earlier, while being overweight can increase the chances of developing diabetes there are many factors, such as diet and exercise that also contribute to a type 2 diagnosis.⁵

Diabetes Diagnosis

There are a few ways to test for diabetes. You may have heard of the A1C test which measures your average blood glucose for the past 2-3 months — this means you do not have to fast or drink anything special in preparation for the test.⁴ Other tests include:

• Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
  Before having the FPG test patients must fast for at least 8 hours to accurately check blood glucose levels, as a result the test is typically preformed in the morning prior to breakfast
• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
  The OGTT checks your blood glucose levels twice, once two hours before you consume a special drink and once two hours after. This tells your doctor how your body process glucose.
• Random/Casual Plasma Glucose Test
  This is a blood test at any time of day. It is typically used on patients showing severe diabetes symptoms.

Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they typically are diagnosed with prediabetes. This means that a patient’s blood glucose levels are higher than normal but no high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.⁶ Those with prediabetes are at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease. A prediabetes diagnosis does not mean you will definitely develop type 2 diabetes. A healthy diet and consistent moderate exercise has been shown to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease that affects many Americans but is it also a disease that can be tackled through simply lifestyle changes. It can’t be said enough, healthy eating and exercise are the key to both preventing and managing type 2 diabetes.

Health Mart. Caring for you and about you. 

Resources

1. CDC: “Estimates of Diabetes and its Burden in the United States.” Available at: www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/statsreport14/national-diabetes-report-web.pdf Accessed October 19, 2016.
2. ADA: “Statistics About Diabetes.” Available at: www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics Accessed: October 19, 2016.
3. Mayo Clinic: “Type 2 Diabetes: Symptoms and Causes” Available at: www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms-causes/dxc-20169861 Accessed: October 20, 2016.
4. The Harvard School of Public Health: “Simple Steps to Preventing Diabetes” Available at: www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/diabetes-prevention/preventing-diabetes-full-story Accessed: October 21, 2016.
5. ADA: “Diabetes Myths” Available at: www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/myths Accessed: October 20, 2016.
6. ADA: “Diagnosing Diabetes and Learning about Prediabetes” Available at: www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diagnosis Accessed: October 20, 2016.

This May we celebrate Women’s Health Month and Mother’s Day, which offer us all a unique opportunity to check in with the women in our lives. Oftentimes it can be hard for women to put themselves before their friends and family, but when it comes to their health, it’s more important than ever to practice a little self-care.

It seems that every day we have more and more to keep track of and inevitably something falls by the wayside, but making a point to schedule regular health screening tests is a major step toward a healthy, happy you. Here are a few of the tests the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends for women to have, organized by age bracket, and a few questions you should ask your doctor while being tested.

• Ages 18–30
  • Blood pressure test
    • If your blood pressure is lower than 120/80, get tested at least every two years
    • If your blood pressure is between 120/80 and 139/89, you should get tested once a year
    • If your blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, you should discuss treatment options with a healthcare professional
    • Questions to ask:
      • What are some causes of high blood pressure?
      • Should I make changes to my diet and/or exercise routine?
  • Cervical cancer screening (Pap test)
    • If you are between 21 and 29  you should get a Pap test every three years
    • If you are 30 or older you can get a Pap test and an HPV test together every five years or a Pap test alone every 3 years
  • Cholesterol test
    • Get your cholesterol tested regularly starting at age 20 if you are at increased risk for heart disease
    • Ask your doctor or nurse how often you should have your cholesterol tested
    • Questions to ask:
      • How can I keep my cholesterol at a healthy level?
      • What should I do to minimize my risk of heart disease?
  • Diabetes screening
    • Have a diabetes screening if your blood pressure is over 135/80 or if you take medicine for high blood pressure
    • Questions to ask:
      • What sorts of lifestyle changes should I make if I have pre-diabetes?
      • What are some symptoms of diabetes that I should look for?
• Ages 40–49
  • Blood pressure test
  • Breast cancer screening (mammogram)
    • Ask your doctor or nurse if you should have a mammogram
    • Questions to ask:
      • What are early signs of breast cancer?
      • How can I check myself at home?
  • Cervical cancer screening (Pap test)
    • Have a Pap test and an HPV test together every five years
  • Cholesterol test
  • Diabetes screening
• Ages 50–64
  • Blood pressure test
    • Bone mineral density test (osteoporosis screening)
    • Ask your doctor or nurse if you are at risk of osteoporosis
    • Questions to ask:
      • What can I do to ward off osteoporosis?
      • Are there exercises that can help me build up my bone density?
  • Breast cancer screening (mammogram)
    • Have a mammogram every two years starting at age 50
  • Cervical cancer screening (Pap test)
  • Cholesterol test
  • Colorectal cancer screening
    • Get screened for colorectal cancer
    • There are several screening tests for colorectal cancer (fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy); ask your doctor or nurse which is best for you and how frequently you should be tested
  • Diabetes screening
• Ages 65+
  • Blood pressure test
  • Bone mineral density test (osteoporosis screening)
    • Once you are 65, you should have an osteoporosis screening
    • Questions to ask:
      • Should I have repeat testing, and how often?
      • How can I manage my osteoporosis?
  • Breast cancer screening (mammogram)
    • Keep having a mammogram every two years through age 74
    • Ask your doctor or nurse if you need to be screened after age 75
  • Colorectal cancer screening
    • Get screened through age 75
  • Cervical cancer screening (Pap test)
    • Ask your doctor or nurse if you need to get a Pap test
  • Cholesterol test
  • Diabetes screening

You might feel overwhelmed by a new diagnosis. Many people do. We can help you manage your treatment. Health Mart is with you each step of the way.

Source

1. OWH: “Screening tests for women.” Available at: http://www.womenshealth.gov/screening-tests-and-vaccines/screening-tests-for-women/; Accessed April 2, 2016.

Notebooks? Check! Backpack? Check! As you and your family prepare to head back to school, we’ve put together a helpful checklist to ensure your child has a safe and healthy school year.

Check in with your children’s pediatrician before school starts. Make sure your children are up to date on their immunizations and if they are playing sports, ask if a special checkup is needed. You should also ask the doctor about ways to protect your children from injuries, such as concussions, which can be a serious problem with some sports.¹

While schools perform hearing tests in some grades, you should also ask the doctor about hearing and vision tests.² Additionally, it is a good idea to schedule dental appointments prior to school starting.

Provide copies of your children’s medical history to their school or daycare provider. These records should include your children’s:

• Prescription medications
• Medical problems such as asthma or allergies
• Previous surgeries
• Emergency contacts ¹

Whether you bring your children to and from school every day or they ride their bikes or walk, be sure that they are aware of how they will be getting to and from school. Discuss safety measures with your children so they are comfortable and feel safe with the plan.

• If you or another adult picks up your child, agree on a time and place for pickups. Explain what to do if the driver is running late. 
• If your child walks or bikes, do a dry run and explain any potential traffic hazards. 
• If your child takes the bus, find a safe route and agree on a visible pickup and drop-off spot. Ideally, this is a place where other kids are around and adults can clearly see them.
• If your teens drive to school, discuss safe driving with them — including the dangers of texting while driving. 

Sometimes things go awry. Make a plan so your children know what to do in case of an emergency or last-minute change to their regular routine, and communicate that plan to their school so everyone is on the same page.¹ 

Having a successful school year is about more than studying and grades, and the foundation for a happy and healthy year starts at home.

• Be consistent about bedtime and wake-up times. Growing kids need at least 8 hours of sleep — and teens need even more.²
• Make homework a habit by having clear routines. But don’t overlook free time and friend time.
• Explain ways to prevent infection such as by regularly washing hands and by not sharing hats or other clothing. That’s one way lice get around!
• Keep lines of communication open. Listen for signs of bullying or other concerns. Many parents find that car rides are a great time to have nonthreatening conversations with their kids. Contact the school if a problem like bullying does arise.^3,4

Creating healthy routines at home will not only help your child transition from the fun and freedom of summer to the structure of school days; it will also help them perform better in the classroom.

Health Mart. Caring for you and about you. 

Resources

1. EmergencyCareForYou: Homework for Parents—Your Child’s Back-to-School Health Checklist. Available at: http://www.emergencycareforyou.org/Health-Tips/Child-Emergencies/Homework-for-Parents-%E2%80%94-Your-Child-s-Back-To-School-Health-Checklist/ Accessed 7/3/16.

2. WebMD: Back-to-School Health Checklist. Available at: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/back-to-school-health-checklist Accessed 7/3/16.

3. National Association of School Nurses: Back to School Family Checklist. Available at: https://www.nasn.org/portals/0/resources/BacktoSchoolChecklistFamily_2015.pdf Accessed 7/3/16.

4. CDC: Back to School Health and Safety Checklist. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/media/dpk/2013/docs/back-to-school/Back-to-School-Checklist.pdf Accessed 7/3/16.