Your Practice Transformation Companion

Monday, April 3, 2017

Defeat Type 2 Diabetes

What does it mean to be called prediabetic by a health care provider? It means your glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as a full-fledged diabetic. Ah, you say. I’m good! I’m not diabetic! But being prediabetic is not good. You shouldn’t breathe a sigh of relief that your health is fine. A prediabetic diagnosis means you are skiing on a slippery mountain slope with the threat of type 2 diabetes hanging over you like an impending winter storm.

Trust me. You don’t want to become diabetic. Suddenly you are at higher risk for a whole variety of serious health problems like heart disease, kidney failure, stroke, blindness and loss of toes, feet or even legs. Yikes! Don’t forget the added medication and blood checks you have to endure. It’s not a pretty picture and certainly not what I envision my golden years to include. I want to be as healthy as possible. Don’t you?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) facts are staggering:

·         86 million adults have prediabetes
·         9 out of 10 people with prediabetes don’t know they have it
·         Without weight loss and moderate physical activity, 15%-30% of these prediabetics will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years

A major clinical research study was done that showed losing a modest amount of weight (5-7% or 10-14 pounds for a 200 pound person) and increasing physical activity (150 minutes or more a week of brisk walking or something similar) lowered the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The body was better able to process the glucose made from our food and worked better with the insulin produced by the pancreas.

What followed was that the CDC developed the National Diabetes Prevention Program. This lifestyle change program is for people at-risk for type 2 diabetes and lasts a full year. It starts with sixteen core classes to learn about healthy eating and physical activity. Other class subjects include how to problem solve, stay motivated and manage stress. The monthly post-core six sessions are to reinforce and build on what was taught in the hour-long class. Participants are weighed each week and turn in food and activity trackers that show what their food intake and activity minutes have been for the last week.

If this sounds good to you, please get in touch with Harmony at hkinkle@transformcoach.org or 248.475.4736 for more information. We have trained coaches who can bring this worthwhile lifestyle change program to an organization. The word is definitely getting out nationally. Physician offices are screening patients and referring them to this proven curriculum. Insurers and employers are adding this program as a benefit. There is also good news on the Medicare front as the program will be a covered benefit for Medicare beneficiaries who meet certain criteria starting January 1, 2018.

With the season of spring upon us, there is the promise of good things to come. This is the perfect time to focus on healthy eating and physical activity as we strive for our best health and, in turn, lower our risk for type 2 diabetes.

Eating healthy:

·         Lowers risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression, cancer
·         Prevents weight gain
·         Gives energy to do the things you want in life

Physical activity:

·         Lowers risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression, cancer
·         Prevents weight gain
·         Gives energy to do the things you want in life
·         Improves mental health and mood
·         Strengthens bones and muscles
·         Improves ability to do the activities of daily living
·         Prevents falls

Take some personal responsibility and start today to make better lifestyle choices. Strive to eat healthy and get outside in the fresh air to increase your physical activity. Working together, we can all defeat diabetes.