Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Doctors diagnose diabetes 10 years later than the disease warrants

Roxanne B. Sukol, MD
Conditions
August 4, 2011
47 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

I like my patients vertical.  Not horizontal.

If I can help it, I want to make sure that nobody gets a disease that could have been prevented.  Sure, accidents happen.  And illnesses show up every day in the lives of people who did nothing to deserve them, and who could have done nothing to prevent them.  But not all illnesses.

Physicians know that newly diagnosed diabetic patients present to the doctor with about 10 years worth of damage to their blood vessels.  What does that mean?  That we diagnose diabetes 10 years later than the disease warrants.  It means that the symptoms we learn to identify come about 10 years after the disease begins.

So, I can wait until a patient begins to complain of frequent urination, unquenchable thirst, and an infection that won’t heal.  I can spend ten years ignoring a blood pressure that continues to rise; a combination of high triglycerides and low HDL; frequent car rides to buy fast food; a lifestyle that includes almost no time for stretching, walking or other exercise; a diet consisting largely of refined carbohydrate (sugar and white flour) and omega-6 oils; and and multiple pairs of pants that can no longer be buttoned.  But at the end of those ten years, I should not be surprised when that patient shows up exhausted, and with a blood sugar of 350.

News from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) show that 35% of American adults are now prediabetic.  Half of Americans aged 65 and older have prediabetes and just over one-fourth are diabetic.  Rates of diabetes continue to soar, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities.

Diabetes is, for the most part, a preventable disease.  The key is to start preventing it ten years before your diagnosis.  When would that be?  Now.  Eat protein for breakfast and skip food-like products made from white flour.  Stop drinking soda/pop — the research shows that even people who drink diet soda have an increased risk of diabetes.  Why?  We don’t know yet, but as soon as I learn anything I’ll share it here.  And no more light, lite, quick, instant, or processed food.  Eat real food.  What’s real?  Food that your great-great-grandparents ate.

We must also find ways to make peace, to relax, and to manage the stress that we all feel in our hectic and busy lives.  Stress increases body weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar.  I just finished reading Traveling with Pomegranates by Sue Monk Kidd and her daughter, Ann Kidd Taylor.  Sue’s hypertension evaporated once she realized how important it was to balance the time she spent writing with time she spent relaxing, walking down to the marshes near her home and sitting quietly as a part of the nature all around her.  She called it a personal recognition of the fact that “being” is of equal importance to “doing.”

The stakes are high; diabetes can be dangerous.  I don’t want to see my patients in a hospital bed.  Or even in a wheelchair, if it can be helped.  I like my patients vertical.

Roxanne Sukol is an internal medicine physician who blogs at Your Health is on Your Plate.

Submit a guest post and be heard on social media’s leading physician voice.

Prev

Should Lipitor go OTC? A cardiologist says yes, an internist says no

August 4, 2011 Kevin 11
…
Next

More should receive vaccines to prevent cancer

August 4, 2011 Kevin 1
…

Tagged as: Diabetes, Patients, Primary Care

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Should Lipitor go OTC? A cardiologist says yes, an internist says no
Next Post >
More should receive vaccines to prevent cancer

More by Roxanne B. Sukol, MD

  • The antidote to multitasking is mindfulness

    Roxanne B. Sukol, MD
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    Solving the different behaviors that lead to obesity

    Roxanne B. Sukol, MD
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    The problem with healthy fats

    Roxanne B. Sukol, MD

More in Conditions

  • The surprising medical mystery of a “good” Hitler: How a rescued kitten revealed a rare movement disorder

    Teresella Gondolo, MD
  • The power of coaching for physicians: transforming thoughts, changing lives

    Kim Downey, PT
  • Unlocking the secrets of cancer conferences: an end-of-life counselor’s journey among pharmaceutical giants

    Althea Halchuck, EJD
  • An obstetrician-gynecologist reveals the truth about reproductive planning and how to navigate society’s expectations

    Yuliya Malayev, DO, MPH
  • Nose-brain connection: The surprising link between allergies and mental health revealed

    Kara Wada, MD
  • Is the rise in mental illness due to greater awareness or a true increase in incidence?

    Zahid Awan, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • How chronic illness and disability are portrayed in media and the importance of daily choices for improved quality of life

      Juliet Morgan and Meghan Jobson | Physician
    • The hidden factor in physician burnout: How the climate crisis is contributing to the erosion of well-being

      Elizabeth Cerceo, MD | Physician
    • Why affirmative action is crucial for health equity and social justice in medicine

      Katrina Gipson, MD, MPH | Policy
    • The power of coaching for physicians: transforming thoughts, changing lives

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • A patient’s perspective on the diminishing relationship between doctors and patients

      Michele Luckenbaugh | Conditions
    • Emulating Michael Jordan’s winning mindset: a path to success for health care professionals and entrepreneurs

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • The growing threat to transgender health care: implications for patients, providers, and trainees

      Carson Hartlage | Policy
    • It’s time to replace the 0 to 10 pain intensity scale with a better measure

      Mark Sullivan, MD and Jane Ballantyne, MD | Conditions
    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Breaking point: the 5 reasons American doctors are dreaming of walking away from medicine

      Amol Shrikhande, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

      Chandravadan Patel, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • The pros and cons of taking a gap year during medical school

      Med School Insiders | Education, Sponsored
    • A family physician’s journey on the OIG list and the struggle to return to practice [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Heartwarming stories of cancer patients teaching us about life and the human spirit

      Johnathan Yao, MD, MPH | Physician
    • We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

      Jeffrey A. Singer, MD | Physician
    • The meaning of death in medicine: the role of compassionate care in end-of-life patient care

      Ton La, Jr., MD, JD | Physician
    • From skydiving to saving lives: a surgeon’s journey on adversity, passion, and perseverance [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 2 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Bariatric Surgery in Kids With Obesity Becoming More Common
  • NT-proBNP for All; Risky Weekend HF Admits; Ticagrelor for Infective Endocarditis?
  • Clinical Challenges: Test Your Knowledge of Dry Eye Disease
  • Clinical Challenges: Meibomian Gland Dysfunction Underdiagnosed and Undertreated
  • Best Exercise Time; FDA's Diabetes Guidance; Weight Discrimination Illegal in N.Y.C.

Meeting Coverage

  • New Model Aims to Study Intestinal Fibrosis in Crohn's Disease
  • Hypertension Tied to Worse Survival After Surgery for Upper Tract Urothelial Cancers
  • The Role of Amyloid PET in the Management of Alzheimer's Disease
  • New Inflammation Inhibitor Proves Effective and Safe for Dry Eye Disease
  • No Access to Routine Healthcare Biggest Barrier to HPV Vaccination
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • How chronic illness and disability are portrayed in media and the importance of daily choices for improved quality of life

      Juliet Morgan and Meghan Jobson | Physician
    • The hidden factor in physician burnout: How the climate crisis is contributing to the erosion of well-being

      Elizabeth Cerceo, MD | Physician
    • Why affirmative action is crucial for health equity and social justice in medicine

      Katrina Gipson, MD, MPH | Policy
    • The power of coaching for physicians: transforming thoughts, changing lives

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • A patient’s perspective on the diminishing relationship between doctors and patients

      Michele Luckenbaugh | Conditions
    • Emulating Michael Jordan’s winning mindset: a path to success for health care professionals and entrepreneurs

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • The growing threat to transgender health care: implications for patients, providers, and trainees

      Carson Hartlage | Policy
    • It’s time to replace the 0 to 10 pain intensity scale with a better measure

      Mark Sullivan, MD and Jane Ballantyne, MD | Conditions
    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Breaking point: the 5 reasons American doctors are dreaming of walking away from medicine

      Amol Shrikhande, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

      Chandravadan Patel, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • The pros and cons of taking a gap year during medical school

      Med School Insiders | Education, Sponsored
    • A family physician’s journey on the OIG list and the struggle to return to practice [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Heartwarming stories of cancer patients teaching us about life and the human spirit

      Johnathan Yao, MD, MPH | Physician
    • We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

      Jeffrey A. Singer, MD | Physician
    • The meaning of death in medicine: the role of compassionate care in end-of-life patient care

      Ton La, Jr., MD, JD | Physician
    • From skydiving to saving lives: a surgeon’s journey on adversity, passion, and perseverance [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Doctors diagnose diabetes 10 years later than the disease warrants
2 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...