National Diabetes Awareness Month

In preparation of the upcoming holidays and the New Year, we need to take a look at what we are putting into our bodies and how we take care of ourselves. The holiday season brings about a lot of eating, plenty of desserts, and not enough exercise. Being at risk or having diabetes is one of the last things on peoples’ minds this time of year.

November is recognized as National Diabetes Awareness Month and according to the American Diabetes Association, “It’s time to communicate the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of proper diabetes control.” (see www.diabetes.org) Diabetes also known as Diabetes Mellitus is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. “Diabetes develops due to a diminished production of insulin or resistance to its effects.” (Wikipedia) Insulin is a hormone produced in the body that converts sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for the body to live. Genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles in the development of diabetes.

Currently, nationwide 23.6 million people have diabetes. Estimates show that of the 23.6 million people living with diabetes, 5.7 million people are living with it and do not know it. How can we alleviate this problem and make people more aware of the seriousness of this chronic disease? Take the test to be screened for diabetes. Contact a local physician and ask for the screening. Anyone can be at risk for diabetes but your risk increases with age, inactivity or increased weight gain. If your family has a history of diabetes, if you are between the age of 45 and 64 or older, your weight has increased, you are a woman that has had a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth, these are additional important factors to consider whether you could be at risk for developing diabetes at a later stage in life. American Diabetes Association's Risk Calculator.

The prevalence of diabetes in Cayuga County is astounding. And the percentage of people being diagnosed is increasing rapidly. A recent community wide health assessment documents diabetes as one of the top 3 highest issues concerning residents within this county and another issue is obesity. The two are interrelated. What can we do to prevent diabetes? If you are an individual that has been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, there unfortunately is no known preventive measure for this type and is dependent upon a genetic predisposition. It is imperative, however, that those who have been diagnosed with Type 1 make it a priority to take good care of their bodies to delay or prevent the onset of any dangerous complications later in life. If you have been diagnosed with Pre-diabetes, Gestational or Type 2 diabetes, or if you want to reduce the onset of the risk of developing this chronic disease later in life, making changes in your life can decrease your chances significantly. Small modifications that can be made to your lifestyle or daily routine such as following a healthy diet and adding moderate exercise that is safe is an excellent start.

Education is greatly needed in this community to increase the awareness about diabetes. Education is also needed to help those individuals that have been diagnosed for better self management tools.  It is important to take care of yourself. Work to maintain a healthy weight, begin to eat a healthier diet, become more active whether it is outdoors, indoors or increasing physical activity with family members, or friends. It is all about making better choices. As a society we need to make better choices. Consult a physician today for more advice and information about your health. Small steps can create big rewards.