November is American Diabetes Month

Did you know that diabetes and heart disease
are often very closely linked? People with diabetes are at high risk for a heart attack or a stroke. Their heart attacks tend to be more serious and can happen early in life.
Both women and men are at risk.

To help you lead a healthier life, Preferred Care wants you to know more about diabetes. American Diabetes Month encourages people with diabetes to work with their doctors to reduce the risk of diabetes-related problems such as heart disease and stroke. You can take on life and live well!

Know your “diabetes ABCs”

One way to reduce the risk is to know your “diabetes ABCs” :

A is for A1C (hemoglobin A1C test) which measures blood glucose over the past 3 months,

B is for blood pressure, and

C is for cholesterol.

Target ranges are:

• A1C less than 6.5 percent
• Blood Pressure less than 130/80 mmHg
• Cholesterol-LDL (“bad”) less than 100 mg/dl

Even small changes in lifestyle can lower the risks.

If you are successful in keeping these important numbers within the recommended ranges, you are doing much to significantly reduce your risk of diabetes-related complications.

In addition to keeping blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure numbers as close to normal as possible, try to also do the following:

• Get help to quit smoking.
• Be active most days.
• Eat low-fat meals that are high in fruits and vegetables, and whole grain foods.
• Ask your doctor about taking aspirin and other medications to help reduce the chances of having a heart attack or stroke. Daily low-dose aspirin therapy is recommended for most diabetics over the age of 30.

Work closely with your health care provider to determine the best approach for treating diabetes and reducing the risk for heart disease and stroke.

Top Ten Myths from the American Diabetes Association

• You can catch diabetes from someone else.
  No. We don’t know exactly why some people develop diabetes, but it is not contagious (like a cold or flu). There seems to be some genetic link in diabetes, particularly type 2. Lifestyle factors also play a part.
• You can't eat sweets or chocolate.
  If eaten as part of a healthy meal plan, or combined with exercise, sweets and desserts can be eaten by people with diabetes.
• Eating too much sugar causes diabetes. 
  No. It is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. However, being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. If you have a history of diabetes in your family, a healthy meal plan and regular exercise are recommended to manage your weight.
• You should eat special diabetic foods.
  A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is the same as that for everyone. It should be low in fat (especially saturated and trans fat), moderate in salt and sugar, with meals based on whole grain foods, vegetables and fruit. Diabetic and “dietetic” versions of sugar-containing foods offer no special benefit.
• You should only eat small amounts of starchy foods, such as bread, potatoes and pasta. 
  Starchy foods are part of a healthy meal plan. Whole grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice and starchy vegetables like potatoes, yams, peas and corn can be included in your meals and snacks. For most people, 3-4 servings a day of carbohydrate-containing foods are about right. Whole grain starchy foods are also a good source of fiber.
• You are more likely to get colds and other illnesses. 
  No. You are not more likely to get a cold or other illness. However, people with diabetes are advised to get flu shots. This is because any infection interferes with your blood glucose management, putting you at risk of high blood glucose levels. For those with type 1 diabetes, there could be an increased risk of ketoacidosis.
• Insulin causes atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and high blood pressure.
  No, insulin does not cause atherosclerosis. However, there is evidence that insulin can initiate some of the early processes associated with it.
• Insulin causes weight gain, and because obesity is bad for you, insulin should not be taken.
  Both the UKPDS (United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study) and the DCCT (Diabetes Control & Complications Trial) have shown that the benefit of glucose management with insulin far outweighs the risk of weight gain.
• Fruit is a healthy food. It is ok to eat as much of it as you wish. 
  Fruit is a healthy food, containing fiber and lots of vitamins and minerals. Because fruit contains carbohydrate, it needs to be included in your meal plan. Talk to your dietitian about the amount, frequency and types of fruits you should eat.
• You don’t need to change your diabetes regimen unless your A1C is greater than 8 percent.
  The better your glucose control, the less likely you are to develop complications of diabetes. Having an A1C of less than 6.5 percent is the goal. The closer it is to the normal range (less than 6 percent), the lower your chances of complications. Talk with your health care provider about the best goal for you.  

For more information

• Visit www.diabetes.org, the National Diabetes Association Web site.
• Visit the Diabetes Learning Center in the Preferred Care online Health Encyclopedia for excellent information on this and other related health topics.

Posted: November 2005

Last updated: October 26, 2006