Novant Health UVA Health System Prince William Medical Center issued the following announcement on Nov. 9
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 34.2 million adults in the United States – about 10 percent of the population – are living with diabetes. One in five don’t even know they have it.
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and one of the leading comorbidities for severe cases of COVID-19. Among those who have died from COVID-19, 40 percent had diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association recognizes the month of November as American Diabetes Month in effort to educate the public and raise awareness about the common chronic health condition.
Joseph St. Pierre II, DO, an internal medicine physician at UVA Internal Medicine Manassas and UVA Diabetes and Nutrition Manassas, has a special interest in diabetes care and understands finding out you have diabetes – whether Type 1, Type 2 or gestational – can be overwhelming.
In honor of American Diabetes Month, St. Pierre offers insight into diabetes and reveals helpful tools for how to properly manage it.
Understanding diabetes
The CDC defines diabetes as a chronic health condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. The food you eat is broken down into sugar (e.g., glucose) and released into the bloodstream. When your blood sugar levels increase, it triggers your pancreas to produce insulin – a hormone that helps blood sugar enter the cells in your body to be used for energy.
People with diabetes either do not produce insulin or don’t utilize insulin properly.
“Think of insulin like a key. If your body doesn’t have that key, it doesn’t allow for glucose to be turned into energy,” said St. Pierre. “When this happens, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, which can cause extremely high blood sugar and long-term damage to organs.”
There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune response that destroys beta cells – cells responsible for making insulin in the pancreas. This keeps the body from producing insulin. Those diagnosed with type 1 diabetes need to inject insulin daily using a syringe, pen, pump or inhaler.
“There is no known cure or way to prevent type 1 diabetes, but with guidance from a primary care doctor, endocrinologist and dietitian, it can be well-managed,” said St. Pierre.
Type 2 Diabetes
In cases of type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin, so the pancreas overproduces insulin to try to get a response. As a result, the pancreas becomes overwhelmed and blood glucose levels aren’t lowered effectively.
“Type 2 diabetes accounts for nearly 95 percent of all diabetes diagnoses and increases risk of heart disease, kidney failure and vision loss,” St. Pierre added.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs when your body can’t make enough insulin during pregnancy. It occurs in 2 to 10 percent of pregnancies every year and typically doesn’t present with symptoms.
“The body produces so many hormones and goes through so many changes during pregnancy that sometimes women become ‘insulin resistant’” St. Pierre shared. “It’s very common for women to experience some insulin resistance during pregnancy but sometimes it just needs to be monitored through diet and managed by a physician.”
St. Pierre added that once the baby is born, gestational diabetes subsides. However, a woman’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes will be monitored at annual check-ups.
Risk factors
Family history and age are significant risk factors for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, risk factors for type 1 are not as known as type 2.
“Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in children, teenagers and young adults, whereas those over 45 are at higher risk of developing type 2,” St. Pierre said.
He also added that white non-Hispanics are at higher risk for type 1 diabetes than other racial and ethnic groups. Hispanic and Latino Americans and Black and African Americans are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than other groups.
Other risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:
- Prediabetes
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Low physical activity and exercise
- Gestational diabetes
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Common symptoms for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes include:
- Excessive urination
- Excessive thirst or hunger
- Unintended weight-loss
- Blurry vision
- Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
- Constant fatigue
- Dry skin
- Wounds and sores that are slow to heal
“Although it can take months or years for symptoms to develop, seek medical attention immediately if any of these symptoms occur,” warned St. Pierre. “Diabetes left untreated can cause long-term damage or can even be fatal.”
Living with diabetes
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, the good news is it can be managed.
With the support of your healthcare team and a few lifestyle changes, you can live your normal life. Eating well, maintaining a healthy weight, managing your blood sugar and participating in daily exercise can help manage type 1 diabetes or even reverse type 2.
“Set a daily schedule, keep up with your doctor’s appointments, and regularly check in with yourself and how you’re feeling,” St. Pierre said.
He also recommended seeking guidance from a physician, meeting with a dietitian or finding a support group to help you manage your symptoms and make positive lifestyle changes.
“You definitely don’t have to do this alone,” St. Pierre added.
For more information about diabetes care and services at UVA Diabetes and Nutrition Manassas, visit NovantHealthUVA.org/diabetes.
Managing blood sugar
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it’s important to keep your blood sugar levels in your target range to prevent or delay long-term health issues.
When to check your blood sugar:
- When you first wake up before you eat or drink anything
- Before a meal
- Two hours after a meal
- Before you go to bed
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Dizziness
- Hunger
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