Nearly 24 million Americans — about one out of every 10 adults over the age of 20 — have diabetes¹. For those with the disease, keeping it in control is a lifelong challenge that requires the support of a knowledgeable healthcare team to advise on proper care, medication management, and the importance of healthy diet and exercise.

Ninety percent of Type 2 diabetes sufferers are considered overweight², and because of this close link between diabetes and obesity, CVS/pharmacy is partnering with Dr. Ian Smith and the 50 Million Pound Challenge to help patients with diabetes gain better control of their disease. The partnership is part of a broader effort by CVS/pharmacy to support diabetes patients.

“Weight management is one important step in managing diabetes, and for those who have pre-diabetes, it can prevent further progress of the disease,” said Dr. Smith. “If you’re overweight, losing just five to ten percent of your body weight will improve diabetes control.”

Monitoring Glucose Levels as a Measure of Control

Diabetes control is measured by blood glucose levels. In addition to daily self-testing to determine glucose levels, a quarterly A1C test is recommended to ascertain average glucose levels for the past two to three months. For people with diabetes, the American Diabetes Association measures control as A1C levels of less than seven percent.

To help patients monitor blood glucose levels in a manner that is convenient and reliable MinuteClinic healthcare centers within select CVS/pharmacy locations will administer free A1C tests, sponsored by Bayer Diabetes Care, now through June 12th. MinuteClinic recently introduced condition monitoring services for patients with diabetes and other conditions.

“Consistent monitoring is critical for diabetes patients, particularly for those who have related health issues like elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure,” said Dr. Troyen A. Brennan, Chief Medical Officer for CVS Caremark. “Regular screenings are an important way to assess control of these conditions.”

Helping to Manage Costs

Patients with diabetes, who often have additional health complications that require treatment, incur medical expenses almost two and a half times greater than the average for a non-diabetic. As a way to help lower diabetes care costs for patients and caregivers, CVS/pharmacy has launched the ExtraCare Advantage for Diabetes program that offers members discounts and rewards on the purchase of diabetes supplies.

CVS pharmacists are also available to counsel patients on ways to lower medication costs, such as switching to generics from brand-name medications. And, because of the high prevalence of related conditions, diabetes patients are often taking multiple medications. The pharmacist can play an additional role in helping patients manage their medications by counseling on side-effects, dosage timing and interactions in efforts to improve adherence.

“Diabetes is a manageable health condition and you can live a very full life despite the diagnosis,” said Dr. Smith. “By working with your entire healthcare team to lower your glucose levels, managing weight through proper diet and exercise and taking medications properly, you can get your diabetes in control.”

Patients can learn more about ways to manage their diabetes at www.cvs.com/diabetes and receive diabetes-related health and weight loss information at www.50millionpounds.com.

About CVS/pharmacy

CVS/pharmacy is the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS). The Company operates more than 7,000 CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drugs stores. CVS/pharmacy is committed to improving the lives of those we serve by making innovative and high-quality health and pharmacy services safe, affordable and easy to access, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available at http://www.info.cvscaremark.com/.

About The 50 Million Pound Challenge

Dr. Ian Smith’s 50 Million Pound Challenge is a call-to-action for all Americans to come together and help people take control of their health by getting fit, losing excess weight and turning back the deadly toll of weight-related diseases that threaten nearly half of us. The Challenge is a campaign supported and endorsed by leaders across the community and national civic and health organizations.

About Dr. Ian Smith

Dr. Ian is a diet expert on VH1′s Celebrity Fit Club and author of the New York Times #1 best-sellers 4 Day Diet, Fat Smash Diet and Extreme Fat Smash Diet, and HAPPY: Simple Steps to Get the Most Out of Life, as well as other works of fiction and non-fiction. He hosts his own TV and radio shows, BET’s Meet the Faith and HealthWatch on American Urban Radio Network. Dr. Ian is a contributor to The View and Men’s Health Magazine. He has filed reports and written for NBC Nightly News, Today Show, Essence, Ebony, People, Cosmopolitan and University of Chicago’s Medicine on the Midway.

The partnership is part of a broad effort to support patients with diabetes through education, chronic monitoring services, and new ExtraCare Advantage for Diabetes savings program

March is National Kidney Month.  Kidney disease may impact an individual’s ability to age in place, as the disease can affect safety, independence and ability level.

While small in size, the kidneys play an important role.

The role of the Kidneys include:

• Controlling blood pressure
• Removing the body’s waste products
• Stimulating bone marrow to make red blood cells
• Helping the body maintain calcium for the bones

When someone has kidney disease, the kidneys aren’t working properly, resulting in a buildup of waste materials in the blood.   Kidney disease is most often the result of diabetes or high blood pressure.

Diabetic Kidney Disease:

Type II Diabetes is a chronic condition and the most common form of diabetes.  It occurs when there is an excess of sugar in the bloodstream and the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level. With diabetic kidney disease, the nephrons, the part of the kidneys that remove waste, become damaged.  As a result, the body doesn’t break down glucose; instead, glucose remains in the blood.  Managing blood glucose levels is crucial and can delay or prevent diabetic kidney disease.    Source:

High Blood Pressure & Kidney Disease:

High blood pressure can cause damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys.  This damage can result in the inability of the kidneys to effectively remove waste products from the body.  The National Institutes of Health and The American Diabetes Association both recommend that the target blood pressure for someone with diabetes be less than 130/80 mmHG.  Blood pressure can be managed through medications, diet, and exercise.

The Kidneys can sustain damage several ways.

Acute Kidney Injuries can occur when:

• Someone looses a lot of blood
• Drugs make the kidneys stop working
• Poisoning occurs that prevent the kidneys from working

Chronic Kidney Disease occurs when there is a slow loss of kidney functioning.  People with chronic kidney failure are at increased risk for

• Heart attacks
• Stroke

End Stage Renal Disease occurs when there is permanent failure of the kidneys, resulting in the kidneys no longer having the ability to regulate electrolytes, remove waste, and concentrate urine.  Treatment for the disease includes dialysis or a kidney transplant.  Additionally, individuals may be placed on a restricted diet and be given medications to increase their urine output.

The kidneys play a huge role in our overall health.  When they don’t function correctly, it can impact many aspects of our health.  Knowing the link between diabetes and blood pressure and the importance of managing your blood pressure and glucose levels can help improve the quality of your life and in turn help you to age in place.

Click here to learn more about the test used to detect kidney disease.

Sources:  National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information Clearinghouse

The American Diabetes Association

A major part of aging in place is living in your home safely and independently.  Diabetes can impact your independence, but you can limit its impact.  Education is key.  Continuing with our month long series on diabetes, The Aging Suite will be discussing blood pressure’s impact on diabetes.

Atherosclerosis occurs when deposits of fats, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances build up in the arteries and cause a plaque buildup in the lining of the artery.  High blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can contribute to atherosclerosis. A diabetic is at increased risk for developing high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems. In fact, it’s estimated that 60% of people with diabetes have high blood pressure.  So, for someone with diabetes, monitoring your blood pressure is crucial.

Your blood pressure is recorded as two numbers- the top number is the systolic pressure and the bottom number is the diastolic pressure.  The systolic pressure represents your heart when it‘s pumping, while the diastolic represents when your heart at rest between beats.

Low and High Blood Pressure:

Hypotension, or low blood pressure, occurs when your blood flow is so low that it can’t deliver oxygen to organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys.  Low blood pressure can be a symptom of end stage renal disease and can cause:

• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Blurry vision
• Weakness
• Being light headed

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, typically does not present with symptoms.  However, individuals suffering from either can experience:

• Headaches
• Blurred vision, and/or
• Dizziness
• Nausea

Recommended blood pressure range for diabetics:

The National Institutes of Health and The American Diabetes Association both recommend that the target blood pressure for someone with diabetes be less than 130/80 mmHG.

Blood pressure can be managed through medications, diet, and exercise.  Manage your blood pressure and help manage your life.  Check out this week’s Technology in the Suite to find out more about technology for individuals with diabetes.

Sources:  WebMD The National Institutes of Health and The American Diabetes Association

November is National Diabetes Month

It’s estimated that 23.6 million people in the US have diabetes.  17.9 million Americans have been diagnosed with the disease and another 5.7 million are unaware that they are diabetics.  November is National Diabetes month.  The American Diabetes Association has a national movement this month to Stop Diabetes. In recognition of this, The Aging Suite will be discussing issues that affect older individuals with diabetes.  Diabetes impacts the entire body including a person’s sensation and vision.  The Aging Suite hopes to help empower people by educating them about diabetes and its effects on the body.  While having diabetes can impact someone’s ability to age in place, it doesn’t have to stop it.

Type I Diabetes:

Insulin is a hormone needed to change carbohydrates and other foods into energy.  When someone has diabetes, their body doesn’t produce or correctly use insulin.

It’s estimated that 5-10% of the US population has Type I Diabetes.  Type I Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body does not produce insulin.

Symptoms of type I diabetes can include:

• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Extreme Hunger
• Increased thirst and urination

Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Type II Diabetes is a chronic condition and the most common form of diabetes.  It occurs when there is an excess of sugar in the bloodstream and the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas doesn’t produce sufficient amounts of insulin to maintain a normal glucose level.  Diabetes can impact all of the body’s organs.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include:

• Weight loss
• Excessive thirst and urination
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Frequent infections and/or slow healing sores

Having a family history of the disease, excessive body weight, and inactivity increases the likelihood of getting the disease.  Also, American Indians, Asian Americans, African Americans and Hispanics, have a higher incidence of the disease as do adults over the age of 45.

According to the American Diabetes Association:

• There is a greater risk for stroke among people with Diabetes, as much as 2 to 4 times higher
• Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness for adults ages 20-74
• Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure
• Diabetes can result in  nerve damage
• The incidence of amputations is 10 times greater for individuals with diabetes than for non diabetics
• Its estimated that  one-third of people with diabetes have severe periodontal disease
• Having diabetes makes you more susceptible to other illnesses

People with diabetes may face challenges to aging in place, but they can still do so successfully and safely.  Check out this week’s Technology in the Suite to learn about assistive technology that can benefit someone with diabetes.  Visit the site in future weeks as we talk more about diabetes and share tips and technology that can benefit anyone with diabetes.

Sources: The American Diabetes Association and MayoClinic.com