About National Diabetes Month and World Diabetes Day
National Diabetes Month and World Diabetes day are both celebrated annually in November. World Diabetes Day takes place on November 14th and was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization. The day is used to spread awareness and education about diabetes.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce any or enough insulin. It can lead to serious health conditions and is the 7th leading cause of death in the US. There are two main types of diabetes- type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is when your body can’t produce insulin at all; type 2 is when your body doesn’t produce enough or any insulin. Type 2 diabetes can be caused by being overweight, having high blood pressure, having a family member with diabetes, and age also plays a role. 90-95% of all cases of diabetes are type 2.
What are the symptoms?
There are many different symptoms of diabetes. Some common symptoms are increased thirst, increased hunger, fatigue, and slow-healing cuts or sores. People with this condition may also experience blurred vision or trouble sleeping due to high blood sugar levels that affect their central nervous system (CNS). A lot of people are unaware that diabetes can affect your vision, kidney and nerve function. If you have symptoms such as excessive thirst or urination then this could be an early sign to get checked out by a doctor!
How can I prevent it?
Unfortunately, there is no sure way to prevent type 1 diabetes, but type 2 diabetes can be prevented through lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, being active for at least 30 minutes each day, eating healthy foods, and managing stress levels. If you have already been diagnosed with diabetes, there are still things you can do to prevent complications. These include taking your medication as prescribed, checking your blood sugar levels regularly, quitting smoking if you smoke, maintaining a healthy weight and eating healthy foods, getting regular exercise, and getting routine eye exams and foot exams.
World Diabetes Day is a day for us to come together to spread awareness about this disease that affects so many people worldwide. Education is key in preventing cases of type 2 diabetes and in managing the disease if you have already been diagnosed. What will you do today to help spread awareness? For more information on World Diabetes Day, please visit their website: www.worlddiabetesday.org
