Preventing and Managing Diabetes

Because the disease is so common and has no obvious symptoms until it has progressed to a dangerous degree, many people underestimate its seriousness. That’s a big mistake since complications from diabetes are the seventh leading cause of death in the US. Some of diabetes’ most common complications include:

• Kidney failure. Between 2017 and 2020, the estimated prevalence of chronic kidney disease among diagnosed people over 18 was 39.2%.
• Foot problems that can lead to lower-limb amputations
• Erectile dysfunction (ED). Studies show that between 55-65% of men with diabetes have ED.
• High blood pressure, high triglycerides, high levels of plaque-forming LDL cholesterol and low levels of HDL cholesterol, which absorbs bad cholesterol so it can be eliminated as waste
• Heart attack and stroke
• Nerve damage
• Gum and mouth problems
• Retinopathy which can lead to adult blindness – diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults 18–64 years
• Hearing loss, a lesser-known complication of the disease

Causes of Diabetes

Normally, blood sugar levels are regulated by insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. This allows your body to process the sugar and carbs in your food for energy. In diabetes, either the pancreas is not producing enough insulin (insulin deficiency), or the cells of the body are not responding properly to insulin (insulin resistance). The result is abnormally high levels of blood sugar.

• Type 1 diabetes accounts for roughly 5% of all US diabetes cases, and is typically diagnosed in childhood or adolescence, but can occur at any age. In type 1, the pancreas stops producing insulin, starving the body of the glucose it needs to survive. Those with type one diabetes are “insulin dependent,” meaning they must take insulin to survive. Treatment for type 1 diabetes requires insulin injections or the use of an insulin pump. People with type 1 diabetes need to check their blood sugar often and count the carbs in their meals.
• Type 2 diabetes accounts for 95% of cases of diabetes. With type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still produces insulin, but the body starts to “resist” the insulin and stops carrying glucose into the body’s cells. The pancreas tries to compensate by making more insulin but eventually can’t keep up with the body’s increasing need for it. Excess sugar starts accumulating in the bloodstream, causing long-term damage. Treatment of type 2 diabetes require lifestyle changes. Patients must monitor their blood sugar, exercise regularly, manage their weight, and keep track of the carbs in their diet. If they are on oral diabetes drugs and/or insulin, they must medicate as prescribed and on schedule.
• Prediabetes is the early stage of type 2 diabetes, in which blood sugar is consistently above average but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. Lifestyle changes can help people with prediabetes keep the condition from progressing and sometimes, even reverse it.
• Gestational diabetes is a form of type 2 diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after childbirth. However, half the women who develop gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Gestational diabetes can be a risk to both mother and baby and is usually monitored by a perinatologist, a physician who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. Treatment involves regular exercise, a healthy eating plan, blood glucose monitoring, and in some cases, medication or insulin injections.

Managing Diabetes

Consistent diabetes management is crucial to maintaining good blood sugar control, preventing complications, and staying healthy. So why do so many people struggle with controlling their blood sugar? Research points to several factors:

• Lack of knowledge or understanding – an individual may not fully understand the importance of staying in control and struggle with implementing their care plan
• Financial barriers – the cost of medications, testing strips, and doctor visits can be a significant obstacle
• Thinking diabetes is age-related and just a fact of life – diabetes has become so common, some people may not take it seriously
• Social and emotional factors – stress, depression, isolation and family struggles can lead to drinking, smoking, and overeating
• Struggling with self-care such as shopping for healthy food, planning meals, monitoring blood sugar, or following a medication regimen
• Disengagement. A person may feel discouraged, overwhelmed, and unmotivated to follow their doctor’s advice

About El Camino Health’s Diabetes Prevention Program

If you or someone you care about need diabetes education and help sticking to a treatment regimen, El Camino Health can help. Our Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is adapted from the one the CDC recommends. The program is designed to help you:

• Understand the causes, risks, and progression of diabetes and how it affects your body
• Commit to healthy lifestyle changes, including regular exercise, nutrition and self-care
• Lose weight
• Lower your A1C (the results of a blood test that provides an estimate of your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months)
• Stop diabetes before it starts if you are still in the prediabetes stage
• Reduce risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke
• Monitor your blood sugar (blood glucose) and interpret the results
• Give yourself insulin properly if your doctor prescribes it

DPP is a 3-phase 1-year program that provides the structure, follow-up, resources and personalized support for long-term behavior change.

Learn more or schedule a free consultation today to see if you qualify for the program.

This article first appeared in the August 2025 edition of the HealthPerks newsletter.