This “Dialed in on Diabetes” post will wind down National Diabetes Awareness Month. As we post this, it is Thanksgiving week, and the beginning of the holiday season that includes Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas and runs right on through New Year’s Day. Honestly, it kind of continues on with Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter! All these events also coincide with the cold winter and shorter daylight hours. This combination can sabotage diabetes management unless we can offer practical strategies for patients to manage the holidays and all the feasts throughout the season.

Diabetes, Obesity and Cardiovascular Health

The incidence and mortality rates associated with cardiovascular disease are a growing concern. For patients also facing diabetes, heart disease is a serious threat. We can help patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes improve their risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Diabetes and Behavioral Health

Over my 30-year career, I have developed a personal and professional interest in mental health challenges and how they impact health and well-being. Mental health issues affect patients of all ages, races, and socioeconomic groups. When a patient also has a chronic physical condition, mental health issues can even further complicate care. These disorders can negatively impact patients’ ability to manage medications, avoid medication complications, and advocate and care for themselves. I would like to share some simple techniques that can help you address behavioral health issues while improving outcomes for your patients with diabetes.

This is the first post in the series “Dialed in on Diabetes.” Here, we’ll take a big-picture look at type 2 diabetes - as it runs throughout our practices, and yours. Who are the patients in your practice with type 2 diabetes? Are they mostly in a certain age group? What barriers or challenges do they face in taking care of their health?