Diabetes and your money
What if you discovered a way to be 50,000 bucks ahead of where you are now, over the next 30 years? And it didn’t involve a lottery ticket, a second job, or giving up your daily lunch out. You’d say, “Show me the money!”
$50,000 bucks is the estimated 30 year costs of living with Type 2 diabetes. If you don’t croak first from a heart attack, or renal failure.
Maybe money is not the best way to get your attention but this is a personal finance blog…..
Maybe you’re more visually stimulated. Sit on the floor, cross your legs and begin the mantra. OMMMMM… Picture yourself with only one leg , in constant pain, hooked up to a dialysis machine….Will that grab you for a moment?
Complications of Diabetes:
- Amputation: A diabetic is 6x more likely to have an amputation of the lower extremity.
- Blindness: Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults.
- Kidney Disease: About 50,000 people will begin end stage kidney disease treatment this year. Can you say dialysis? (hooked to a machine for hours at the time 3-5 days a week!)
- Neuropathy: A fancy word for a certain cause of pain, very common among diabetics.
- Money: 83 billion in US health care costs were due to diabetes in 2008.
We healthcare practitioners in the south have seen the rise in diabetic patient numbers skyrocket over the past couple of decades. A recent Lancet (a respected British medical journal) review confirmed it is a world-wide problem with more than 347 million people affected globally. Yes almost 350 MILLION!
It is estimated that at least a third of those cases are directly related to obesity and inactivity.
What can you do for you and your family?
- Keep weight/waist under control: Waist circumference-over 35″ for women, over 40″ is considered extremely high risk.
- Exercise-no excuses
- Cutting out simple sugars and excess carbs.
- Keeping your weight gain normal during pregnancy: Studies show your child will be at higher risk of obesity and diabetes if you gain excessive weight while pregnant. So add overeating to the no no’s of drinking and smoking during pregnancy. Not just so you can get back in your bikini postpartum, but for the health of your child!
If you are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes what can you do?
- Lose weight.
- Increase exercise.
- Monitor your blood sugar and keep it in the recommended ranges.
- Follow guidelines for eye exams, kidney tests, blood pressure, and cholesterol to diagnose complications early.
- Make sure your kids are tested annually to help with early diagnosis.
- Be a roll model for your children by aggressively treating your disease.
Societal costs of obesity and diabetes related complications.
An interesting discussion will be worth following over the next few years.
The costs of self-inflicted diseases such as obesity are becoming better documented. As health care dollars continue to shrink, the costs of insurance will rise faster for obese patients than healthy weight patients as evidence confirms the increased costs of these conditions.
Much like smokers are now paying additional premiums, your premiums may increase proportionally with your waistline….
Reader Questions:
What say you? Any thoughts on the trend of “sin taxes” being added to healthcare insurance premiums.
Should a porky, portly family of four pay more than the beanstalk family? Is obesity not anyone’s fault, but just a genetic disease?
Will big brother be doing a daily calorie count to see who is genuinely overeating and who may just be doomed genetically with a low metabolism?
Weigh in……
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{photo credit: top photo-newslighter; bottom photo-Daquela manera c.c.}
Tags: cost of diabetes per person, costs of diabetes to society, diabetes and its economic impact, diabetes and money, how to minimize the costs of diabetes
I lost a good friend to complications of diabetes about 15 years ago. He had type one diabetes, but did not control his insulin very consistently. Type 2 diabetes is at least avoidable, but it is a consequence of not taking care of yourself. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercise improves your quality of life.
It’s interesting that you put a dollar figure out it. Most people don’t put a long term cost on their healthcare, and I bet many will listen to the experience of diabetes over the obvious health concerns.
Nice post that highlights some valuable information that reinforcement in much needed on.
Whatever it takes to get peoples attention. Taking care of yourself can make a big difference with this disease.
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On the fatness of America….I doubt that the percentage of obese people that we have in this country can all be due to genetic pre-disposition!!!
No doubt at all Marie, no doubt it’s biscuit poisoning, as we say here in the south…
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Type 2 diabetes is a scary disease, for sure. Unfortunately it’s not totally always preventable — genetics plays a huge role, even for people who maintain a thin waistline for their entire lives.
Everyone on my mom’s side of the family — grandpa, uncles, my mom — are all thin and fit; the type of bodies that get complimented when they’re at the gym. My mom is 105 – 110 pounds (normal for her height). They’re vegetarian and eat mostly lentils with brown rice and veggies for dinner.(They occasionally eat grilled fish, especially when we go to restaurants). And they all became diagnosed with diabetes when they reached their 50′s, like clockwork. My mom avoided the diagnosis until she turned 60, which was a major accomplishment.
It’s sad to see it happen, though she is a great role model for healthy living and healthy eating for her child (me).
Yes, most experts think 60% of type 2 is genetically based. But proper diet helps everyone, regardless of cause. Thanks for the comment, and keep an eye on YOUR glucose!
Save The Children…
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