Tag: National Kidney Foundation

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Debbie Allen’s Prediabetes Diagnosis Didn’t Surprise Her

Dancer and choreographer Debbie Allen admits she wasn’t surprised she was diagnosed with prediabetes, even though she’s been active throughout her life. 

“When I found out late, this past summer, it was not a surprise. I was kind of expecting that it might happen,” Debbie Allen told MadameNoire magazine.

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Her father lived with type 2 diabetes and several of her family members died from complications of the same disease. “It’s in my DNA and it’s in my children’s DNA, so they need to know. I believe, again, that information is power,” she said. 

As a child, Allen’s father encouraged her to keep dancing to prevent her from developing type 2 diabetes. One of her biggest challenges in managing her prediabetes has been making herself her top priority.

“I’m so busy and I don’t think about myself. And that’s been my biggest problem. I’m always last on my list. I have two grandchildren now and my husband, my son, my daughter and I have all these beautiful young people that I’m mentoring.”

Debbie Allen also admits that she isn’t as active today as she once was, when she was dancing 7-8 hours a day. “I’m directing, administering, I’m looking at film. I’m teaching my live IG class. But my physical life has changed a bit because of my career.”

Debbie Allen has partnered with the National Kidney Foundation to raise awareness about the link between type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

If you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes, Divabetic encourages you to talk to your health care professional about steps you can take to prevent it from becoming type 2 diabetes.

Could You Have Prediabetes? Take the Test Now

Love New Recipes?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free Virtual Cooking Party with special guest, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND on Zoom on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 7-8 PM, EST. Jill shares her favorite quinoa recipes with us!

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Divabetic Mystery Phrase #34

Can you solve Divabetic’s Mystery Phrase #34?

Our phrase is one of the primary functions of your kidneys.

Kidneys have many jobs besides filtering blood. They also make urine to keep bones healthy and make a hormone that controls the production of red blood cells. The kidneys also help regulate blood pressure, the level of salts in the blood, and the acid-base balance (the pH) of the blood.

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, accounting for 44% percent of new cases according to the National Kidney Foundation. Current research suggests that control of high blood pressure is a key factor in slowing this disease.

How Diabetes Is Linked To Kidney Failure

Diabetic nephropathy is a common complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Over time, poorly managed blood sugars can cause damage to blood vessel clusters in your kidneys that filter waste from your blood. This can lead to kidney damage and cause high blood pressure. If they are damaged, waste and fluids build up in your blood instead of leaving your body.

When your kidneys fail, dialysis keeps your body in balance by: removing waste, salt and extra water to prevent them from building up in the body. keeping a safe level of certain chemicals in your blood, such as potassium, sodium and bicarbonate. helping to control blood pressure.

Tips for Keeping Your Kidneys Healthy

  • Check your blood pressure regularly and keep it below 140/90 mm/Hg, but check with your health care provider for your appropriate target. Talk to your doctor about medicines and other ways to lower your blood pressure.
  • Stay in your target cholesterol range.
  • Eat foods lower in sodium.
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables.
  • Stay physically active.
  • Take your medications as directed.

If you have diabetes:

  • Meet blood sugar targets as often as you can.
  • Have an A1c test at least twice a year, but ideally up to four times a year. An A1c test measures the average level of blood sugar over the past three months.

 

We’re talking about the link between hypertension and kidney function on this episode of Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from Angela Bofill.

Podcast guests include Angela Bofill, Catherine Schuller, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Neva White DNP, CRNP- BC, CDE, and Rose Hall from Tessie’s Teas.

Throughout the podcast we will feature music from Angela Bofill’s albums Angie and Angel of the Night courtesy of SONY Music.

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