Danielle Smith
November is National Diabetes Month and experts said with healthier habits, more Tennesseans can reverse prediabetes and prevent Type 2 diabetes and all its complications.
The prevalence of diabetes is quite high in Tennessee, at 14.6%, which is three points higher than the national average.
Dr. Griffin Rogers, director of the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases in Bethesda, Maryland, said it is possible to prevent the wide range of health problems caused by high blood sugar, from heart attack and stroke, to kidney disease and vision problems. Rodgers said a helpful acronym is “ABCs.”
“The A stands for hemoglobin A1C. The A1C is a measure of what the average blood sugar is in the preceding three months. The ‘B’ stands for blood pressure, and the ‘C’ stands for cholesterol,” Rogers outlined. “High blood pressure and high cholesterol, in addition to high blood sugars, can contribute to the nerve and blood vessel damage.”
The “s” in ABCs stands for “stop smoking.” He pointed out smoking can also damage your blood vessels and can cause or increase your risk of these complications.
Rodgers recommended a diet based on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins like fish. He also suggested replacing sugary drinks with water to improve overall health, plus regular exercise and getting seven to eight hours of sleep can help.
“On the physical activity side, 30 minutes a day, five days a week for most adults is what’s generally recommended,” Rodgers explained. “Just walking. And if you can’t do the 30 minutes all at one time, breaking it into either two 15, or three 10-minute intervals is sufficient.”
Rodgers stressed diabetes is preventable and manageable. He added it is important for people to have their blood pressure and blood glucose levels checked as part of their routine wellness visits.
