As November begins, we embark on National Diabetes Awareness Month, a critical time to shed light on the importance of early diagnosis. With millions of individuals unaware of their pre-diabetic or diabetic status, the need for proactive screening and awareness cannot be overstated.

Diabetes, a chronic condition characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, affects millions of people worldwide. In the United States alone, over 37 million individuals (11.3% of the U.S. population) have diabetes. A staggering 96 million adults (1 in 3 American adults) have pre-diabetes. In this condition, blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range. What’s truly concerning is that nearly 8.5 million people in the U.S. remain undiagnosed, unaware of their diabetic status.

Undiagnosed diabetes can silently wreak havoc on one’s health, leading to serious complications such as heart disease, kidney problems, nerve damage, and blindness. The key to preventing these complications lies in early diagnosis.

Diagnosing diabetes in its early stages allows individuals to take immediate steps to manage their condition. Modifications typically involve changes to lifestyle, like diet and exercise, as well as, in some cases, introducing a medication. Managing diabetes early can prevent or delay complications.

Early diagnosis can lead to more cost-effective treatment in the long run. Regular monitoring and management can reduce the need for costly emergency medical interventions.

A timely diagnosis enables individuals to maintain a better quality of life. They can enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle, free from the complications associated with uncontrolled diabetes.

Identifying diabetes early significantly reduces the risk of complications like heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and blindness, which can result from prolonged uncontrolled diabetes.

There are several crucial tests that individuals should consider to determine their diabetic status. Many healthcare providers use risk assessment questionnaires to identify individuals who may be at risk of diabetes. These can help determine whether further testing is necessary.

Fasting Blood Sugar Test measures blood sugar levels after an overnight fast. A fasting blood sugar level of 100-125 mg/dL indicates pre-diabetes, while levels of 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests, indicate diabetes.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): After fasting, you’ll be given a sugary drink, and your blood sugar levels are tested at intervals. A two-hour blood sugar level of 140-199 mg/dL indicates pre-diabetes and 200 mg/dL or higher suggests diabetes.

The hemoglobin A1c Test provides an average of your blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. An A1c level of 5.7% to 6.4% is indicative of pre-diabetes, while 6.5% or higher confirms diabetes.

As we observe National Diabetes Awareness Month, it’s crucial to understand the significance of early diagnosis. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider to have your A1C tested. By identifying pre-diabetes and diabetes in their early stages, we can empower individuals to take control of their health, make necessary lifestyle changes, and ultimately reduce the burden of this chronic condition.

Dining with Diabetes will be offered at your Bannock County Extension office or online. Dining with Diabetes is a program offered by the University of Idaho Extension to help people with Type 2 diabetes, or their care providers, to identify and understand important information on how to manage this disease. Participants will learn about diabetes and how to manage it through meal planning, portion control, understanding labels, and physical activity. Recipes will be demonstrated.

Free online live format includes recipe demonstration: 12:00-2:00pm: Wednesday November 29, December 6, December 13, December 20.

In-person includes recipe demonstration and tasting: 5:30-7:30: Wednesday November 29, December 6, December 13, December 20. The cost is $10 for in-person participation.