November is diabetes awareness and prevention month and nowhere is that more important than here in Hawaii. Hawaii is known as the healthiest state in the country but it also has the dubious honor of having one of the highest rates of diabetes in the country as well.
It all begins with the food we eat.
"As we bring in food, it has to be broken down to the smallest molecule to be absorbed into the blood stream through the small intestine. From there the food molecules get into the cells and energize the cells for healthy life,” said Dr. Patricia Avila of Castle Medical Center.
But that's where diabetes comes into play - preventing those food molecules from doing their job properly.
The symptoms for even a pre-diabetic are pretty clear.
"The symptoms of even early signs of early pre-diabetic can be thirst, just really feeling tired, increased urinary frequency and these things - if you have it - and then in addition you have high blood pressure or overweight, get into your doctor and get it checked,” said Dr. Avila.
There are certain ethnicities more prone than others to diabetes - and your family background can also make you more likely to develop the disease.
Those factors are not controllable or modifiable.
"We like to look at those things that you can modify in your life, modifiable risk factors such as being overweight or obese, having hypertension but really having inactivity, lack of exercise. These can cause the metabolic disease to become initiated,” said Dr. Avila.
Even if you are diagnosed as pre-diabetic, you can come back from the brink.
"So yes, modifying diet, increasing our exercise. We've got a lot of tools in our toolbox as individuals. We can self-manage ourselves into good health,” said Dr. Avila.
The doctor says, remember the ABC's of diabetes prevention - close track of your hemoglobin A-1-C, controlling your blood pressure and keeping your cholesterol in check.
