SAN ANTONIO — November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country seek to bring attention to a rapidly growing epidemic. Being diagnosed is the first step to controlling a disease that takes so many lives.
So many are walking around with diabetes and have no idea. The disease takes the lives of about 400,000 Americans every year.
Dr. Teja Kompala, the Clinical Strategy Director for cardiometabolic conditions with Teladoc Health, told us, "So a high likelihood that someone, you know in your life has either pre-diabetes or diabetes. Awareness is the first step to making sure that we can take control of a very controllable disease."
The American Diabetes Association says as of 2021 more than 38 million Americans had diabetes. That is about one in every 10 people in the country with the condition. Of those, close to nine million had no idea they had diabetes. And close to 100 million Americans 18 and older had pre-diabetes.
Diabetes and mental health are also very connected. Dr. Kompala added, "So for example, burnout or diabetes distress, which is an official condition related to diabetes management, can be another burden that may weigh on your mental health."
Teladoc Health has these tips to help manage diabetes:
- Get 150 minutes of activity weekly.
- Follow balanced plate guidelines for meals.
- Drink three liters, or 12 cups of water, per day.
- Manage stress.
- Monitor blood sugar.
- Take medication as prescribed.
And since so many people with diabetes struggle to get to the doctor, virtual health is a great way to go, and you can even get your medication with a virtual appointment.
Dr. Kompala told us, "The convenience and the access aspects are really key. And so being able to get that on demand support, whether it's 10 p.m. at night or in the middle of your day."
Dr. Kompala also recommends these three tips to help control your diabetes.
- Eat your calories, don't drink them, and aim for a balanced plate, meaning get 50% of your plate, be it veggies or quarter protein or quarter carbs.
- Exercise is the second tip. Every minute of movement matters. And so even if you're getting zero minutes of exercise right now, getting five minutes is a good place to start.
- The third tip is when you're when you have diabetes, you're in it for the long game. And so just recognizing that there are ups and downs.