This month offers two important reminders to check your risk for prediabetes. This condition, often undetected, is a precursor to diabetes and can lead to more serious health conditions.
Are You at Risk?
Tuesday, March 23, is Diabetes Alert Day. If you’ve got a minute, it’s enough time to assess your risk for prediabetes. Take this online, 60-second test.
A score of 5 or higher is a wake-up call to take control of your health. U-M offers free Diabetes Prevention Programs as part of your Health Plan. Managing prediabetes can also help protect you from kidney disease, heart disease and stroke.
Diabetes Linked to Kidney Disease
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases is focusing on risks to kidney health this month as part of National Kidney Month. One of the most prominent risks to kidney function is diabetes.
Over time, people with diabetes can develop diabetic nephropathy – silent, progressive kidney disease. If you have diabetes, it’s vital to have your kidney checked regularly.
Most people are born with two kidneys, although your body can function with just one as long as it’s healthy. Your kidney contributes to overall well-being by:
- Filtering blood of toxins
- Transforming waste into urine for removal from the body
- Secreting essential hormones
- Regulating electrolyte and water levels
People with diabetes are prone to high blood pressure and high blood-glucose levels. These conditions damage blood vessels and contribute to kidney disease.
Diabetes-related kidney disease is more common in African American, American Indian, Hispanic and Latinx populations. These people also tend to become more ill and require a higher level of treatment, including dialysis and kidney transplant.
National Kidney Month awareness takes place through the end of March. For details and educational materials, download the NIDDK toolkit.
Prevention Programs Free to Eligible Employees
U-M’s Diabetes Prevention Programs are free to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Education focuses on reducing your risk factors for developing diabetes, such as eating for health, incorporating movement into your lifestyle, reducing stress and controlling conditions such as high blood pressure. As you lower your diabetes risk, your chance of developing kidney disease lowers, as well.
