Office Visit: Preventing Diabetes From Managing You

Office Visit: Preventing Diabetes From Managing You

By Todd Hoffman, M.D.

Every day, diabetes affects about 38 million Americans, including adults and children. It occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, skin conditions and vision and hearing impairment.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 390,000 Oklahoma adults are living with diabetes, and over 1 million more may have prediabetes and at risk of developing the disease.

Regular eye exams are also important for people with diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes is the leading cause of vision loss in people 18-64 years old. A digital retinal scan can detect diabetic retinopathy, which can cause vision loss if untreated.

By implementing a few changes into your lifestyle, you can dramatically cut your risk of developing diabetes. Talk with your doctor about your risk and develop a plan to prevent diabetes.

Let's make it a good month.

Todd Hoffman, M.D., C.P.E., is chief medical officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, a division of Health Care Service Corp., a Mutual Legal Reserve Company.

November is National Diabetes Awareness month. With the rate of the disease steadily climbing over the last 20 years, you can reduce your diabetes risks by:

• Quitting smoking: Smoking can cause diabetes by interfering with your cell function. Chemicals in cigarette smoke harm your cells and can cause inflammation throughout the body, which may make your insulin less effective. Smoking also causes high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.
• Lose weight: If you are overweight, losing 5-7% of your body weight can help lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Get more physical activity: Aim for 30 minutes of activity five days a week to help lower your diabetes risk.