diabetes Archives - Page 2 of 2

Why African Americans Are 20x More Likely To Have Heart Disease

Heart disease is the number one killer in America. It affects African Americans more than members of any other race or ethnic background. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), 44% of African American men and 48% of African American women have some form of cardiovascular disease, putting them at a far greater risk for heart disease and stroke than Caucasians. In fact, in African Americans under the age of 50, the heart failure rate is 20 times higher than that of any other race. There are multiple factors that contribute to heart disease, with

*Heart disease is higher among African Americans than any other race.*

high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) being the largest factor. Weight, dietary practices and smoking can also contribute. However, there are ways to combat these factors, and lower your risk of developing heart disease, or beat it if you are already struggling with this silent killer.

High Blood Pressure

According to a 2009 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, African Americans are more likely to have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, than members of any other race. The risk is especially high in African American women. The American Heart Association theorizes that high blood pressure develops early in life for African Americans due to their genetic makeup, and salt sensitivity. This raises the chance of having a stroke. Because high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death, it is important to learn ways to lower your blood pressure and keep it under control. Whether high blood pressure runs in your family or not, find out what your numbers are and check them often. The more regularly you check your blood pressure, the greater your chance of learning how to control it. Report your numbers to your doctor so they can be aware of the changes as well.

Obesity & High Cholesterol

Another risk factor for developing heart disease is obesity, and African-American women are 80% more likely to be overweight or obese, than any other groups in the U.S. Being overweight increases your chances of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease; the more weight you carry, the more oxygen your body needs to move around the excess tissue, which means your heart needs to work harder and will be put under stress. Some strategies for controlling your weight include drinking plenty of water to feel more full, and opting for lean meats such as chicken instead of beef. Vegetables and fruits should be added to every meal as well. Exercise plays a key role in burning calories and strengthening your heart, so it is important to make moving your body a daily habit. Start slowly with gentle activities such as walking for half an hour everyday.

Diabetes

African Americans are also 77% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, a disease which can play a significant role in developing heart disease. High levels of glucose (or hyperglycemia, a defining characteristics of diabetes) narrow and harden the arteries, thus making it harder for blood to flow to and from your heart and, again, causing stress to your heart. Diabetes is, however, treatable and preventable as long as you are aware of the causes and work at managing it if you do develop it. Staying away from sugar and high-carb foods will help keep your insulin

levels down.

Smoking

The CDC has found that 1 in 5 African American adults smoke cigarettes, a practice which increases the chance of developing heart disease. It is no secret that smoking is not good for you, and it can be hard to quit once you begin, but it is never too late to stop smoking. Seek help from your doctor, as well as family or friends to help you quit. Quitting will significantly lower your risk of heart disease

While your racial or ethnic background may mean a greater chances of developing heart disease, lifestyle choices play a bigger role. In order to reduce your risk, it is important to take care of yourself and stay healthy. Stay on top of your blood pressure numbers, and take the necessary medications to keep it regulated. A healthy diet is key to keeping your heart healthy, so make sure you eat foods low in sodium, and limit sugary snacks or foods. Avoiding heart disease is possible as long as you take care of yourself, as healthier lifestyle changes can go a long way in reducing your risk.

Type 2 Diabetes On The Rise In Children

Diabetes has been a growing concern over the past couple of years. Now with more focus on children, as the number of kids with type 2 diabetes has increased over the years. There are a number of factors that contribute to developing diabetes. It can run in the family, but what will actually bring it on is your lifestyle, mainly your weight. Kids that are

*Obesity attributes to a greater risk of developing diabetes.*

overweight are at the highest risk, and seem to be the ones who are getting this disease.

There are ways to prevent diabetes in children, mainly keeping a healthy diet and staying active. Learning about diabetes, and it’s symptoms can be of great help for your child’s health. Catching it early on, and learning how to treat it will help you make the necessary changes your child needs to control it. But it is possible we can make small changes to prevent it altogether.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which your body cannot properly use or produce enough insulin. Another word for type 2 diabetes is non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. A person’s body cannot move blood sugar into cells, which is why their blood sugar drops or rises unexpectedly, especially a long time before eating, or after eating.

What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?

Anyone can develop diabetes, but it is more likely to develop in those who are overweight or obese. Being obese increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes because it causes insulin resistance. Once your body becomes insulin resistant, your sugar levels become high, and you have a lower tolerance for glucose (sugar). Other risk factors include family history of parents having diabetes. Being Asian, Pacific Islander, African, Native American, or of Latin descent increases your risk factors of developing the disease.

Symptoms

If you can catch the symptoms early on, then you can help prevent the disease from getting worse. Signs to look for are:

Frequent urination
Unusual thirst
Blurred vision
Weakness
Nausea
Wounds taking a long time to heal
Weight loss
Frequent bladder infections
Loss of feeling in hands or feet

Treatment

Lifestyle changes are very important in the treatment of diabetes. Weight management, changing your diet, and exercising are the best ways to treat type 2 diabetes, or any diabetes for that matter. It can help control the disease, and may even get rid of it. A doctor can prescribe insulin or medications that help your body with insulin balance. An important way to treat diabetes is knowing your glucose levels, which can be checked with a blood glucose monitor.

Prevention

A healthy weight is key to preventing a child from developing type 2 diabetes. As stated before, healthy meals are just as important, and exercising.

Over ten years ago, children having type 2 diabetes was almost unheard of. If we do not make changes, the number of kids developing diabetes will only continue to rise. Know the signs, and get your child treated as soona s possible if you suspect they have type 2 diabetes. Checkups are important especially if it runs in the family. Take the simple steps listed in order to prevent your child from getting diabetes. Give your children a healthy well balanced diet, and help them remain active. Go outside and enjoy a walk together, and promote physical activities to help them maintain ideal weight for their height. If your kid does have diabetes, knowing how to treat and control it is important for you and your child. Understanding the disease can help your kid recognize if their glucose levels are off before it worsens, take the necessary steps needed, and make better decisions for their health.

This Quick & Easy Test Will Tell You Your Diabetes Risk!

There are three main types of diabetes, type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when your body attacks its own pancreas with antibodies, therefore the inability to produce insulin. Gestational diabetes happens during a woman’s pregnancy. It creates a great risk to the unborn baby such as abnormal weight when the baby is born, breathing problems, and a higher risk of obesity and diabetes later in life. The mother may develop type 2 diabetes later in life because of gestational diabetes.

*Take a quick test and calculate your numbers to determine your risk of developing diabetes.*

Type 2 diabetes is the most common one. It accounts for 95% of diabetes in adults, with numbers rising in children as well. Type 2 diabetes is when the pancreas does produce insulin, but not enough for the body’s needs. It can cause major health risks including heart disease and a stroke. There are many factors that can contribute to increasing a person’s risk of developing diabetes. Take this quick test to find out if you are at risk.

How Old Are You?

Less than 40 years (0 points)

40-49 years (1 point)

50-59 years (2 points)

60 years (3 points)

Family History: Does Your Mom, Dad or Siblings Have Diabetes?

Yes (1 point)

No (0 points)

Do You Have High Blood Pressure?

Yes (1 point)

No (0 points)

Are You Physically Active? (At Least 2.5 Hours of Exercise A Week)

Yes (0 points)

No (1 point)

Are You A Woman or Man?

Woman (0 points)

Man(1 point)

What Is Your Height and weight? (BMI)

4´ 10˝ 119–142 143–190       191+
4´ 11˝   124–147    148–197   198+
5´ 0˝ 128–152 153–203     204+
5´ 1˝   132–157 158–210   211+
5´ 2˝ 136–163 164–217   218+
5´ 3˝ 141–168   169–224 225+
5´ 4˝ 145–173 174–231   232+
5´ 5˝ 150–179 180–239 240+
5´ 6˝ 155–185   186–246 247+
5´ 7˝ 159–190 191–254   255+
5´ 8˝ 164–196   197–261   262+
5´ 9˝ 169–202 203–269 270+
5´ 10˝ 174–208 209–277 278+
5´ 11˝   179–214 215–285   286+
6´ 0˝ 184–220   221–293   294+
6´ 1˝   189–226   227–301   302+
6´ 2˝ 194–232   233–310   311+
6´ 3˝ 200–239 240–318   319+
6´ 4˝ 205–245 246–327 28+
  1 point   2 points   3 points
*If you weigh less than the amount
in the left column: 0 points

Once you have written down the points, add them all up. If you scored 5 or higher, then you are at a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. It is important to talk to your doctor if your score was high, and depending on your race, you may be at a higher risk. African Americans, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics/Latinos, Native

If you fear you are at risk for diabetes, call your doctor, and check your insulin. — *If you fear you are at risk for diabetes, call your doctor, and check your insulin frequently.*

Hawaiians, and Asian Americans are at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes because it is most common among these races.

If you believe you are at high risk for diabetes, or even moderate risk, bring it up to your doctor. Get your blood sugar levels checked at the doctor’s office, and as often as you need to. There are different screenings and tests your doctor can run to make sure you are not at risk of developing diabetes. If you do have diabetes, or are a high risk, then your doctor can talk about treatment and prevention. Eat a well balanced diet, exercise 3-4 days a week, and watch your weight in order to avoid diabetes.

Medicare Will Cover Glucose Monitors

Medicare is making some positive moves in the diabetes field. Not only are they now covering some continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), but they are also beginning to connect it to smartphones. Glucose monitors were not covered by Medicare last year. This left people with diabetes the only option of paying for it out of pocket. If they could not afford it, then they did not get one. These devices help diabetics manage their glucose levels. Now the readings can be transmitted to iPhones.

How A CGM Works

*Medicare will begin to cover 2 brands of continuoius glucose monitors.*

A sensor is worn on the arm or stomach area, and collects glucose data from under the skin. It will test glucose levels every few minutes and send the results to a monitor. The monitor will either be a part of an insulin pump, or a separate device you can carry. The monitor shows when a person’s glucose is going up, down, or staying steady. They are constantly working, even when the person is showering, working out, and sleeping. These devices will send an alert when the levels are high or too low. The sensors have to be replaced every 3 to 7 days depending on the model.

The Devices Now Covered By Medicare

The two CGM systems Medicare will now cover are Dexcom’s G5 Mobile and Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre. The two systems will be covered for beneficiaries with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The Dexcom G5 Mobile monitors for up to a week and will send readings to an insulin pump or a wireless receiver such as a phone. This notifies the user when their levels are on the rise, falling, or steady.

The Freestyle Libre collects data up to 10 days from a sensor put into the arm. It will collect the data and the user will have to move a reader device over the sensor to check their levels. This device will show when a person’s glucose level is going up or down, but will not alert the user when it is out of range.

Smartphone Use

You can now connect your glucose monitor to your smartphone to keep track of levels. — *You can now connect your glucose monitor to your smartphone to keep track of your levels, and share with your doctor.*

Companies like Dexcom were able to develop these monitors the ability to transfer information to iPhones. Having levels sent to a smartphone will help users use the Share app. This app allows the user to share their glucose level information with their doctor and caregiver. However, one of Medicare’s conditions with the Dexcom Mobile device is that it is not covered if the person uses the smartphone app. Dexcom is trying to work things out with Medicare to get it covered.

Continuous glucose monitors were not covered by Medicare just a year ago. Now Medicare has loosened their restrictions, allowing two types of devices to be covered for beneficiaries. The only issue is within the limited conditions that it will not be covered if used with a smartphone. Medicare is currently under pressure by beneficiaries and these glucose monitor companies to come to some sort of agreement. Medicare is in talks with Dexcom. The company and users are hoping that the use of smartphones will be allowed, because it makes tracking levels and sharing them with doctors easier, which helps manage glucose levels.

NEW Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program Now Available

A Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) was announced by the CDC to begin in 2018. The model will be added as a covered benefit for Medicare enrollees who meet the criteria. The program started April 1, 2018.

New Medicare Programs For Diabetes Can Result In You Saving Big!

Diabetes affects more than 25% of seniors 65 and older in America, and Medicare has spent billions on beneficiaries with diabetes. But type 2 diabetes can usually be delayed or prevented with healthy lifestyle changes.

The model offers a classroom-style support group that has gone through many successful pilots which resulted in better management for diabetes patients. The services include core sessions during the first 6 months, core maintenance sessions during the second month, and ongoing maintenance sessions during the second year. Check-ins are to make sure the participants are sticking to a healthy lifestyle. CMS Deputy Administrator and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrick Conway believes that programs like these can prevent disease and help people live healthier lives.

The MDPP model aims to prevent type 2 diabetes from developing among Medicare beneficiaries. It will provide coaching services to prediabetic patients and help them lose weight. The goal is to reduce their weight by at least 5% from baseline and they must achieve this by the end of the first year to be eligible for ongoing maintenance in the second year.

People who went to more sessions had a much higher percentage of weight loss than those that skipped classes.

In the pilot tests conducted, patients who followed the program reduced their body weight by around 5% and lowered their spending by $2650 over the course of 15 months. The patients who attended more sessions had higher weight loss, which is the main goal of the program. “The final payment structure values beneficiary weight loss most significantly, as weight loss is a key indicator of success among individuals participating in a DPP due to the strong association between weight loss and reduction in the risk of type 2 diabetes,” CMS said.

“For the first time CMS, is going to be reimbursing for diabetes prevention based on this evidence-based program,” says Robert Gabbay, M.D., Ph.D., FACP, and Chief Medical Officer at Joslin Diabetes Center. “Currently the challenge is that when we identify people who are prediabetic, which is easy to do with a simple blood test, we don’t have a program to enroll them in that is reimbursed.”

Providers/physicians will receive Medicare reimbursement for providing the services to eligible patients. If their patients do not meet the required minimum weight loss, they will receive lower reimbursement rates and lose out on $160 per patient. But, if a patient successfully does the programs and meets the requirements, the provider could receive $610 per patient. If the patient comes to all the sessions but does not meet the 5% weight loss goal, the patient will help accrue $195 reimbursement for the provider.

Patients are eligible for the MDDP only once in their life because the CMS believes that the one-time benefit will be more likely to motivate them rather than allowing them to re-enroll any time. But, if a patient develops diabetes at any time during the program, then they can keep receiving services.

Diabetes is a national issue and is growing among children, adults, and senior citizens. This program that will be a preventative covered benefit will open up the idea of developing healthier lifestyles, and reduce the onset of diabetes. It is a hopeful step forward for Medicare beneficiaries.

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