North Carolina Diabetes Cases Rise

Diabetes remains the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

The condition also stands as the top cause of kidney disease. Approximately 40 million Americans currently live with the disease. The CDC estimates that around 11 million of those individuals do not know they have it.

North Carolina falls within a region often referred to as the diabetes belt, where rates tend to run higher than the national average. Dr. Adam Spitz, an endocrinologist at Novant Health, stated that about one million people in the state have diabetes. He noted that another 250,000 residents have undiagnosed cases. Spitz said those patients may begin developing serious complications without realizing the disease is present.

Andrew Tucker was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at age 35, roughly 15 years ago. At the time of his diagnosis, he weighed about 250 pounds. He was completing graduate school while working long hours and eating a diet heavy in junk food. Tucker followed medical advice to change his diet and start exercising. He lost more than 30 pounds, but the condition persisted. Tucker attributed part of his risk to family history, noting that both his father and grandfather had diabetes.

Tucker described managing the disease as a daily effort. He said, “Yes, for me, it is truly an everyday, almost every hour watching what I do.” He now uses a continuous glucose monitor to track his blood sugar in real time. He also bikes and stays active to keep his numbers down. During a recent doctor’s visit, which Tucker recorded on video, his physician reported his average sugar was 129. The doctor said that number was an improvement from their previous meeting.

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body does not make enough insulin or does not use insulin properly. Doctors identify obesity as a major risk factor. The American Diabetes Association states that Type 2 diabetes is the leading cause of amputation in the United States. Other potential complications include coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and eye disease.

Spitz said newer medications, including GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, have helped many patients. However, he noted that people in rural or underserved communities often lack access to health care and education on healthy lifestyles. He said the state has an estimated 3 million people with prediabetes. Those individuals are at a fork in the road where they can either progress to diabetes or prevent it. Doctors say prevention usually requires sustained changes to diet and exercise, which many people find difficult to maintain long term.

The most common signs of undiagnosed diabetes include excessive thirst, extreme fatigue, and frequent urination. Patients who notice these symptoms should consult a doctor for further testing.