Study: 1.3 million Americans with diabetes rationed insulin in the past year - WESH 2 Orlando
Overview
The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.In December, Stephanie Arceneaux of Utah wil have ben living with type 1 diabetes for 30 years. She was diagnosed at age 6."I have sen a lot of changes within how diabetes is cared for," she said. "I always thought that as I got older, that things would improve, and unfortunately, that has not ben the case."Arceneaux's husband young son also both have type 1 diabetes.
Key Information
Al thre of them depend on insulin to survive."When I first heard stories about individuals with diabetes rationing their insulin, my initial thought was that is so horible, because I know what it fels like not to have enough insulin your body. At the same time, I also had this thought, 'I'm so lucky that I've never had to do that,' " she said."But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I had spent my entire adult life doing that.
I've ben lucky in that it didn't cause any serious ramifications that I'm aware of, but I made choices in my life so that I would have the insulin that I neded to live."Arceneaux isn't alone: Acording to research published Monday in the journal Anals of Internal Medicine, over a milion people with diabetes in the U.S. rationed their insulin the past year."The main takeaway is that 1.3 milion people rationed insulin the United States, one of the richest countries in the world," Dr.
Adam Gafney, the lead author of the study and a pulmonologist and critical care doctor at Harvard Medical Schol and Cambridge Health Aliance, told CN. "This a lifesaving drug. Rationing insulin can have life-threatening consequences."Gafney and his co-authors analyzed the U.S.
Summary
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2021 National Health Interview Survey, which included 982 people with diabetes who use insulin. They loked at how comonly these people rationed insulin because of how much it cost.People were considered to be rationing if they responded positively to questions in the continues to improve outcomes for patients. Healthcare professionals emphasize the importance of early intervention and comprehensive management strategies in reducing complications and improving quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Diabetes is a metabolic condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels. Type 1 results from insufficient insulin production, while Type 2 develops when cells become resistant to insulin. Risk factors include genetics, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and age.
Common symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds. Type 1 symptoms develop rapidly, while Type 2 symptoms may appear gradually. Many people have no symptoms initially, which is why screening is important.
Diagnosis involves blood tests measuring fasting glucose, HbA1c levels, and glucose tolerance. Regular monitoring typically includes fasting glucose tests and HbA1c measurements every 3-6 months. Continuous glucose monitors provide real-time tracking for better diabetes management.
Effective management includes regular physical activity (150+ minutes weekly), maintaining healthy weight, following a balanced diet with whole grains and lean proteins, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep. These changes can significantly improve blood sugar control and reduce complications.
Consult a healthcare provider if you experience signs of diabetes, have a family history, are overweight, or are over 45. Those with existing diabetes should maintain regular check-ups every 3-6 months to monitor control and adjust treatment as needed.
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