This American Diabetes Month, take steps to prevent diabetes

It’s possible to have diabetes or prediabetes without even realizing it. And not just possible – relatively common.  

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in five people with diabetes and more than eight in 10 people with prediabetes aren’t aware they have the condition.  

November is American Diabetes Month, and Salman Bhat, MD, who cares for patients at TidalHealth Endocrinology in Salisbury and Berlin, has some tips for preventing and managing diabetes. 

Because so many people don’t realize they have it, it’s important for people ages 40 and older to have an annual lab checkup to try to catch the disease early, Dr. Bhat said.  

Type 1 vs. Type 2 

Type 2 diabetes, which prevents the body from using insulin correctly, is much more common than Type 1 diabetes — accounting for 90 to 95 percent of diagnoses, according to the CDC. Type 2 is the type that can be affected by a person’s actions, although family history can also play a role.  

With Type 1 diabetes, the body doesn’t make enough insulin, and there aren’t any preventive measures people can take, though they need to manage the condition. A major function of insulin, a hormone, is to regulate blood glucose levels.     

Preventing diabetes 

Managing weight and diet are key when it comes to diabetes, Dr. Bhat said. He recommends a healthy diet with regularly scheduled meals and smaller portion sizes.

Meals should include more vegetables or lean meat and less starchy foods like rice, potatoes and pasta, he said. It’s also good to avoid foods and drinks that have a lot of sugar, such as cake, muffins, orange juice and sodas. 

Exercise — which allows muscles to use glucose — is also important, and he recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, which can include walking.  

Signs of diabetes 

One sign of potential diabetes is obesity, though not everyone with obesity has diabetes. Dr. Bhat said in the early stages, someone may notice mild fatigue. If a person notices that they have excessive urination and excessive thirst, that’s another sign, he said. Another is unexplained weight loss.  

Related health problems 

Type 2 diabetes doesn’t have to be permanent, and those with the condition can work to get their numbers down and get out of the diabetes range, Dr. Bhat said. Diabetes can lead to a wide range of health problems.  

“It can basically affect every part of your body,” he said.  

Dr. Bhat said it’s important for people with diabetes to manage their medication and have regular blood work done. They should also have regular eye exams, have their kidneys checked and manage stress, he said. Since diabetes is a risk factor for heart disease, they should be sure to manage those other risk factors, too.   

Because so many people have diabetes, primary care providers can help many people with this condition. If you're looking for a provider, TidalHealth has primary care providers conveniently located across Delmarva. 

People with Type 1 diabetes and patients with uncontrolled diabetes may need a referral to see an endocrinologist. TidalHealth Endocrinology has locations in Salisbury, Berlin and Seaford.