November is Diabetes Month

This November is like no other we’ve experienced in the past. COVID-19 rates are exponentially rising and people with underlying health conditions must pay close attention to how their health can be negatively impacted by the coronavirus.

Undoubtedly, years of research will be needed to determine how certain conditions affected patient outcomes but there is preliminary data released by the American Diabetes Association that is worth noting.

Having diabetes does not make a person more susceptible to COVID-19 but it can make those infected have worse complications than others with no underlying conditions. Both age and other health challenges coupled with diabetes, seem to produce an even greater risk.

Viral infections are already known to cause inflammation in diabetic individuals and the coronavirus is no different.

On the CDC website updated on November 2nd, it differentiates the severeness of illness between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes – and it might surprise you.

They note that having Type 2 diabetes “increases” your risk of severe illness from COVID-19. However, based on what they know at this point, people with Type 1 or gestational diabetes only “might increase” the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Regardless of your type of diabetes – or even if you’re not diabetic – it’s incredibly important that you take the coronavirus seriously. You’ve heard it one thousand times already but I’ll say it again…wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, and distance yourself six feet or more from others when in public.

We are all in this together and my team and I are here to answer any questions you may have. Call us at 440.354.0705 or make an online appointment.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Patrick Soria, DDS