Diabetes Awareness

A Few Diabetes Statistics and Facts

1.4 million Americans are diagnosed each year.
29 million Americans (9%) have diabetes and 21 million are undiagnosed.
Diabetes mellitus is generally diagnosed as Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes.
86 Million have Pre-Diabetes. That’s 1 in 3 adults! (updated in 2012)
18,000+ Youths are diagnosed with Type 1 in 2008 and 2009.
Only 5% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes in adults are type 1. 90-95% are considered type 2.
1.7 million people 20 years or older were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and 5,000 youths diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. (That’s 1 out of every 3 people).
Many people with type 2 diabetes can control their blood glucose by following a healthy meal plan and exercise program, losing excess weight, and taking oral medication, injectables or insulin injections.
Some people with type 2 diabetes may need insulin to control their blood glucose.
Many people with diabetes also need to take medications to control their cholesterol and blood pressure.
Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about 2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes. The risk for stroke is 2 to 4 times higher among people with diabetes.
The cost of Diabetes in 2012 was 245 billion in the U.S. in 2013 – there were 387 million people with diabetes worldwide.
Diabetes is most common in Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics and Asians.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.CDC.gov

What is blood glucose monitoring?

Your diabetes care team may use this term: Self Blood Glucose Monitoring (SBGM). SBGM means checking your own blood sugar or blood glucose levels. Diabetes patients prick their finger on the side and place a drop of blood onto a test strip. A test strip is inserted into a machine called a “glucose meter.” The glucose meter will provide a result in a few seconds. With the results, you may make changes in your management of diabetes to keep your blood glucose levels as close to normal ranges as possible. Document your results or download them to share with your physician.

A glucose meter is used by persons with diabetes to check what the blood glucose level is at the moment. Glucose monitoring also checks if the blood glucose level is too high or too low, and how your blood sugar is affected by food, exercise, medications, illness or stress.

Checking Your Blood Glucose Ranges:

A1C: Should be between 6.5 – 7.0% for control. The newest information states that A1C levels should be individualized and people with heart disease may require a higher A1C value
Before a Meal: 80-120 mg/dl
2 Hours After Meal*: Less than 140mg/dl is ideal.

^*After meal glucose may be targeted if A1C goals are not met despite reaching before a meal glucose goals.

Source: American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org

Why is it necessary to check 3-month blood sugar level averages (A1C)?

The A1c test is a blood test that is taken routinely for people with diabetes or for those suspected of deleveloping diabetes. This test tells the patient and the doctor the average blood sugar over a 3 month period. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends on average most people with diabetes should have A1c levels tested four (4) times per year.

The results reveal overall control. When your physician monitors overall control this result is helpful to show blood glucose averages. With daily blood glucose monitoring, single tests are performed to show the blood sugar level at the exact time of the testing..

It is important for your physician to know how your meal plan, exercise and medication work together to control your diabetes. A1c numbers of 8.0% or above generally reflect poorly controlled diabetes. A1c numbers can be changed or lowered only after weeks of good diabetes control, which includes careful attention to exercise, stress management, medication schedule, and healthy meal plan.

Consider finding a diabetes management program which is generally covered by health insurance. With the help of a healthcare team, you will be more likely to control your diabetes numbers and reduce the risk of diabetes complications.