Your Patients’ Diabetes Management During the Holidays

November kicks off the busy holiday season. As people prepare to gather with family and friends, this often means placing health maintenance on the back burner.  

Since we observe National Diabetes Month in November, here are some 2024 statistics to keep in mind (US and global data from the American Heart Association). 

• • 9.7 million adults have undiagnosed diabetes 
  • 29.3 million adults have diagnosed diabetes 
  • 115.9 million adults have pre-diabetes 

As you can see from these statistics, it is essential to continue to monitor the following: 

• • A1C (HbA1c level less than 8% is considered optimal control for most adults with diabetes to prevent complications) 
  • Kidney Health Evaluation for Patients with Diabetes:  
    1. Blood test for kidney function (eGFR)  AND  
    2. Urine test for kidney damage (urine albumin/creatinine ratio [uACR]) 
  • Blood Pressure (ensure blood pressure <140/90 mmHg to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other complications) 
  • Retinal Eye Exam 

Effective Provider Education Approaches 

• • Tailor care plans to the individual needs/goals of each patient 
  • Focus on patient-centered communication, engaging patients with open discussions 
  • Emphasize the importance of consistent monitoring of blood glucose, blood pressure, kidney function 
  • Collaborate with other healthcare providers who take care of the patient 
  • Provide appropriate resources to patients, such as handouts, videos, or patient portals 
  • Use electronic health record tools to help identity patients due for HbA1c tests, eye exams, kidney function screenings, blood pressure checks, eye exams, and other screenings 
  • Remind patients to make appointments for diabetes testing and assessment ahead of time and encourage them not to cancel 

It is vital to support patients with diabetes education, as it may be a frightening and uncertain time of their lives, especially during holiday season. Here are some tips you can give your patients for diabetes management during the holidays: 

• • Eat meals on time 
  • Avoid skipping meals 
  • Maintain a consistent sleep schedule 
  • Set reminder to take medications 
  • Bring a healthy dish to share  
  • Practice mindful eating 
  • Plan to portion plate – carbohydrate choices 
  • Think about what you drink 
  • Move after you eat 
  • Check your blood sugar and blood pressure 

References: 

• https://diabetes.org/health-wellness/weight-management/stay-pn-track-during-holidays 
• Photo | Diabetes 2024 statistics infographic | American Heart Association 
• Healthy Eating and the Holidays | Diabetes | CDC