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The fourth Tuesday in March of every year is American Diabetes Alert Day. This March, we’ll discuss the risk factors, management tips, and potential screening and treatment options of diabetes.
The mission of this awareness campaign is to help the general public assess their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and, if possible, reverse those risks.
This year, we’re doing our part by sharing important information to help you get to know the signs and symptoms.
Whether you’re at risk or already diagnosed, it’s important to understand what tools are available to help you manage the condition.
Your pharmacist can and should be considered an important part of your diabetes-fighting arsenal.
But the information below discusses The American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day, and will at least give you the basics – the info you need to ask the right questions when you do call in.
What Are Risk Factors of Diabetes?
This Diabetes Alert Day, it’s important to understand the risk factors of this disease.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), approximately 9.4 percent of Americans (or 30.3 million people) suffer from Diabetes.
- Approximately 25 percent of patients with full Type 2 diabetes do not know they have the condition, which means they are going untreated and increasing their risk for related complications.
- Aapproximately 84 million Americans have prediabetes at any given time.
- Up to 90 percent do not know they are at risk at all.
While some of the risk factors associated with diabetes, like age or race, may be out of your control, you have the power to control other influences with lifestyle changes.
Common risk factors include:
- Your age, especially if you are over 45 years old
- Your race, especially if you are African-American, Native American, Latino/Hispanic-American, or Asian-American
- A family history of diabetes
- A low level of physical activity
- Your body weight, especially if you are overweight or obese
- A history of high blood pressure or high cholesterol
How to Manage Diabetes
One of the goals of the American Association Diabetes Alert Day is learning different ways of managing your diabetes.
The subject of healthcare and the soaring cost of insulin has been incredibly controversial.
Many activists believe heightened rates are a direct result of an inability to access much-needed treatments. Either way, it’s still important to gain as much control over your health as humanly possible.
If you are diagnosed with diabetes, or if you are in pre-diabetes, talk to your doctor about your best treatment options. They will discuss which blood sugar testing schedule you should follow.
This will ultimately help to determine whether you should:
- Control your diabetes with diet and exercise
- If you need oral medications
- If you need insulin therapy
Your next step will be to overhaul your diet and exercise routines (this is needed whether you take medications or not).
Your doctor may refer you to a nutritionist. He or she will discuss how to better balance your meals while cutting back on starchy carbohydrates. Your goal will usually be to try and avoid added sugar, including a wide variety of artificial sweeteners.
Regular exercise will help your body better process the sugar you do take in. It also improves how your body uses insulin. This, in turn, will help you keep your numbers in check.
Why Should You Talk to Your Pharmacist this Diabetes Alert Day?
Believe it or not, your local pharmacist will become one of your greatest allies in combating diabetes.
This condition is a very common ailment; most pharmacists assist diabetic patients on a daily basis.
Your pharmacist knows a lot about:
- Different insurance companies
- How they cover medications
- How the drugs you are prescribed to manage your condition may interact with your other medications
However, there are other ways your pharmacist can help; we’ll discuss those next.
Early Screening for Yourself and Loved Ones
Many pharmacies have events where they will sit down with you to assess your risk factors. This is especially important for you or your children if someone else in the house has already been diagnosed.
He or she will go over your risk factors and, potentially, even run blood sugar tests during your appointment.
1. Regular A1C Testing
This isn’t available in all areas, but some pharmacies are able to provide additional A1C testing for a small fee.
This helps those who are having trouble meeting their blood sugar goals better monitor their progress so they can make additional lifestyle adjustments between doctor visits.
2. Adjusting Your Medication
You may think no one will notice or care if you aren’t taking your meds, but your pharmacist can see when you aren’t re-filling your medications on time.
They can also determine if you aren’t taking them at proper intervals.
Your pharmacist may help you work through any issues you’re having, like side effects, to help you better comply with treatment. They can also guide you on topics to discuss with your doctor if you need a higher level of support.
3. Monitoring Your Vaccines
It’s especially important for patients with diabetes to stay up-to-date on flu, pneumonia, shingles, and other vaccinations.
Illnesses and the resulting medications, like antibiotics and steroids, can make it even more difficult to control a person’s blood sugar, resulting in a downward spiral of complications.
Do everything you can to stay healthy.
4. Prescription Assistance
While your pharmacist can’t apply to assistance programs for you, they may be aware of different manufacturer program or discount clubs you can use to lower your out-of-pocket costs.
This is especially important for those who are using higher-priced insulin products. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you’re having difficulty affording treatment products.
There are options!
5. Skincare
Talk to your pharmacist about caring for your skin.
Patients with diabetes need to pay particular attention to their feet and legs, caring for the skin so that it doesn’t crack or break open.
Cuts and wounds in these areas are especially prone to infection and, because of diabetes-related circulation issues, can take a very long time to heal.
You may need to consider compounded lotions or compression stockings to support your lower extremities.
While your pharmacist can’t replace your doctor, they will still play a huge role in your overall treatment and management plan.
Never be afraid to talk to them about questions you have regarding:
- Monitoring
- Supplies
- Medications
- Interactions
- Symptoms
Your pharmacist will either be able to answer your questions, refer you to the best resources, or assist you with contacting your doctor for further guidance.
Conclusion
The American Heart Association estimates that more than 230,000 annual deaths in the US can be directly attributed to diabetes.
Talking to your doctor and assessing your risk is as simple as a conversation and a blood test.
Managing your disease and avoiding complications is as easy as partnering with your health care provider and your pharmacist.
This American Diabetes Alert Day, talk to them about what you need to do to live an active, healthy life.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey.
The Burt’s Difference
Burt’s Pharmacy and Compounding Lab offers a full line of OTC items including: sugar free cough medication and lozenges, insulin containers and travel packs, and more. We also offer free training for how to use your meter, along with low cost options for test strips and meters. Our free reporting for most major meters allows you to take your readings home with you and keep them for your own reporting. Our prescription delivery also offers diabetes-related items as well.