One in four Veterans live with Type 2 diabetes, more than double that of other Americans.
Diabetes is not just about high blood sugar levels. It’s a complex metabolic disorder with serious consequences if not managed properly. Type 2 diabetes used to be known as adult-onset diabetes, and there is no cure. Losing weight, eating well and exercising can help manage the disease. If diet and exercise aren’t enough to control blood sugar, diabetes medications or insulin therapy may be recommended.
Veterans often face unique challenges in managing their diabetes because of other service-related disabilities and mental health issues.
“I’ve witnessed firsthand the overwhelming impact that maintaining proper blood sugar levels can have on the health and well-being of our Veteran population,” said Dr. Avian Milton, clinical pharmacy provider at North Texas VA.
Education and proactive health management are key for Veterans of all demographics.
Many Veterans who are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes end up with other complications, including neuropathy, retinopathy, cardiovascular disease and kidney failure. For Veterans already coping with service-related injuries or illnesses, the added burden of poorly managed diabetes can greatly worsen existing health issues and diminish their overall quality of life.
“It’s about ensuring a better tomorrow.”
“One misconception is that diabetes can be controlled,” Milton said. “It can’t be controlled, but it can be managed. Diabetes is a complex condition with many dimensions. It can be affected by diet, physical activity, medication, stress, illnesses, pain, hormonal changes, dehydration and not adhering to prescribed medications.”
VA clinicians like Milton support Veterans on their diabetic journey. They provide counseling, access to specialized health care services and community resources to help Veterans navigate their diabetic experiences and take a stand against the risks of long-term complications.
“It’s important that our patients have an accurate expectation of diabetes self-management to achieve the best outcomes. It’s not just about feeling good today. It’s about ensuring a better tomorrow,” Milton added.
If you or someone you know has diabetes, check out this important toolkit of items that makes managing diabetes easier.
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Glad to know that the VA really cares about Veterans. I married while in service to another serviceman. He developed diabetes after he was discharged. He is very concerned about keeping his diabetes in check. He tests his blood three times a day and has a log book to record the readings. Luckily he only needs Janumet to keep him in balance.
What really bothers both of us is that the Blood Monitors can be as much as 20%, YES, Twenty Percent off of the Actual reading.
To us that is FAR TOO much to allow. It should be closer to either 5% 0r 10% at the MOST.
I am only allowed 50 test strips and after to use my TRICARE to buy other strips which comes with a co payment several times a year. Every time I tell someone I am on metformin, they encourage me to get off. Why doesn’t the VA offer other alternative medicines or refills
Dr Milton is a poor example of what health looks like.
Type II diabetics ,who choose to manage their blood sugar levels by lifestyle, exercise and healthy eating, STILL NEED TO CHECK their blood sugar levels once a day. The VA issues 50 test strips for ONE YEAR. Why can’t some one realize that 50/year is not medically advisable, nor good diabetic management support to patients who are really trying to keep healthy???
Comon MAN. CHANGE THE POLICY.
I was identified as having Type 2 Diabetes over 20 years ago. I started taking Ozempic shots once per week and lost over 100 pounds. Now my A1C is 6.8 and I no longer have to take my sugar readings. I have stopped taking most Diabetes medications. I recommend Ozempic. Try to get your doctor to let you try it.
If vets are at higher risk then you should just make it a presumptive across the board and stop dragging it out. My 3 brothers were all Vietnam vets and all had diabetes. Oldest one died of complications before it was acknowledged. Third one still hasn’t been. Guess that’s VAs way of saying thank you for your service.
Hard to manage hen you can only test 2 times a week and when 2-3 strips have an error you either pay for more your self or just wait days before you can test again true meter is ok but I was given accu-check by another VA which goes to my phone I dont have write it down as I’m getting older sure helps wish all VAs used the same meter Accu-check thank you for listening
some us dont know whar URL is
I’m a 77 year old vet with type II diabetes. I manage it by using Metformin and Glipizide. There is also another product on the market named Sugar Blocker that seems to help. My average blood sugar is around 100. I go to the gym twice a week and lift the heaviest weights I’m capable of. This includes curls on a machine at 100 lbs. and triceps push downs at 130. I do many other exercises that strengthen my weak points and that is my goal. I weigh just under 200 Lbs and stand 6’3″. I have a medium frame. My wife cooks recipes from The Homemade Method, which caters to diabetics as well as non diabetics. I give credit to her cooking, the gym routine and living an active lifestyle in controlling my blood sugar. My A1C is 6.3. I would suggest that the VA look into Sugar Blocker and it is widely available and not expensive. I totally agree with the comment below mine as it concerns the government under the Democrats. What a cluster ____!
Before I received the help of the VA, my AC1 number was above 12. The VA has supported my efforts to control my Type II Diabetes. After receiving the VA support my AC1 is now 5.7.
The VA provided the tools (medication, testing, and training) to understand how I can control my Type II Diabetes.
I owe my many thanks to the VA Interns and Pharma employees for their support. Again my appreciation for the support of the VA medical services.
Where is the tool kit that was mentioned to get me to read this?
Want to hear more. How can VA help me?
I was diagnosed with Type 2 after beating Non-Hodgkin’s Mantle Cell Lymphoma. My A1c was 8.8. I went on Trulicity for 90 days and metformin. I was able to reduce my A1c to 5.7. The doctor took me off the Trulicity. Then, one day my wife sent me a video by a doctor who said Type 2 diabetes is really “carbohydrate toxicity”. He said if you keep your daily carb count at or below 100 mg, your Type 2 will disappear. Although I was skeptical, I thought ” what the heck”. I tried it and have been able to keep my A1c around 6.2 with NO MEDICATIONS, for about three years now. I go to the gym 5 days a week (have been doing this for 37 years) and try to walk at least five miles every day. Natural remedies are real, and pharmaceutical companies are making millions of dollars by miseducation.
I joined the Air Force as a commissioned officer in 1977. Lots of stress and exposure to missile and aircraft fuels, carcinegens, etc. Hell, when I filled the VA would even give me a physical. Got 50% for them taking away my right to bear children. Now I am a diabetic and read this drivel…Yep. Go to Hell.
Encouragement to look deeper into the nature of diabetes and the fact that many have reversed their symptoms.
There’s a book and related program that speak beautifully to this.
You did not tell anything new. Wasted my time.
The most effective way to control diabetes is to not have sugar and refined carbs ,no grains or fruit juice. The medical profession is not willing to accept this.
Why does the VA only approve 100 test strips per year, which means I can only check my blood every 3.4 days.
I fixed my Prediabetic by going very low carb, no sugar, then I needed more to rid myself of this problem, I went strick carnivore, now 4 years into this lifestyle I have cured myself of this condition. And other problems like RA, Fatty liver, acid reflex, snoring, mental fog, lbs of fat off my body. If the VA would push this kind of lifestyle to all vets, it would save a lot of life’s and $$.
Six men from my family joined the military. Five us us retired from the Army and Air Force. One retired from civil service. Of the six, four of us became Type II diabetics. One of us has already died from the disease. All of us had one thing in common. We all handled mercury during our military careers. I filed a claim and was denied. I was told there was no connection between my handling of mercury and my Type II diabetes. I served 25 years and now live with uncontrolled diabetes courtesy of my government. I also have stage IV cancer but I don’t blame the cancer on the government. I do blame the government for my diabetes because I read an article and paraphrasing it said, “Young men age 18 to 24 have a greater than 70% chance of becoming Type II diabetics by age 55. That’s exactly when I collapsed and discovered I was a diabetic. The government can go to hell and give all our money to illegals. They get better care than our vets.
I had Type II at 6.7 A1C and had had enough and changed my diet and started lifting weights; I’ve lost 83 lbs and my A1C is now 5.4; why just “manage” when Type II can be defeated?
Interesting g. I have type 2 and my blood sugar has been higher lately. Was in the 300’s but now in low 200’s. I’ve never really known much if any about this problem.
I have neuropathy and had a retina surgery. Yes I’m a Vietnam Vet. Combat.