November 18, 2022
November is American Diabetes Month! This month provides an opportunity to increase awareness about diabetes and its effects on the lives of patients and their families. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , diabetes is a chronic condition that affects about 37.3 million people in the United States. Of these, 8.5 million are undiagnosed. Diabetes can lead to serious health complications including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and lower-extremity amputations. During American Diabetes Month , healthcare providers across the country are raising awareness about diabetes and its complications, as well as ways to prevent or manage the condition. What is Diabetes? Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar. There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is when your body does not produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is when your body does not use insulin properly. Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women and usually goes away after the baby is born. No matter what type of diabetes you have, it can lead to serious health complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation. Here are some things you can do this month to stay informed and healthy: 1. Get screened for diabetes. If you have risk factors for diabetes, such as being overweight or having a family history of the disease, talk to your doctor about getting screened. Screening tests can help you find out if you have diabetes so that you can start treatment early and avoid complications. 2. Know your numbers. If you have diabetes, it’s important to keep track of your blood sugar levels. Ask your doctor what your target blood sugar levels should be and how often you should check them. Then, take steps to reach and maintain those levels by following your treatment plan. 3. Make healthy food choices. Eating healthy foods helps you control your blood sugar levels and manage your weight. Talk to a registered dietitian or certified diabetes educator about meal planning that’s right for you. They can help you create a balanced meal plan that fits your lifestyle and meets your health goals. 4. Be active every day. Physical activity can help you control your blood sugar levels, boost your energy levels, and improve your overall health. Talk to your doctor about what types and amounts of physical activity are safe for you. Then, get moving! Even a little bit of activity is better than none at all. 5. Take care of your feet. Diabetes can cause nerve damage and poor blood flow, which increases your risk for foot problems. Check your feet every day for cuts, sores, redness, swelling, blisters, or any other changes. If you have any foot problems, see a podiatrist right away. 6 . Quit smoking. Smoking raises your risk for heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and many other health problems. If you smoke, now is the time to quit. Talk to your doctor about ways to help you quit smoking for good. 7 . Control your cholesterol and blood pressure. High cholesterol and high blood pressure can damage your heart and blood vessels. This damage raises your risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and other problems. Work with your doctor to keep these numbers under control through lifestyle changes and medication if needed. 8 . Protect yourself from infections. People with diabetes are more likely than others to get certain infections, such as pneumonia or influenza. To help protect yourself : -Get a flu vaccine every year -Wash your hands often with soap and water -Avoid close contact with people who are sick The Future of Diabetes This month provides an opportunity for patients and their families to learn more about the condition and how it affects their lives. Healthcare providers across the country are also raising awareness about diabetes this month in order to promote early diagnosis and treatment of the condition before serious complications develop. You can play a role in promoting awareness by getting screened for diabetes, knowing your numbers if you have been diagnosed, making healthy food choices, being active every day, taking care of your feet, quitting smoking if you smoke tobacco products, controlling cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and protecting yourself from infection. By working together we can all help improve the lives of those affected by diabetes. Resources https://diabetes.org/ https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/index.html Contact Assistance in Home Care Today You can be confident in the level of dedication and expertise of our team at Assistance in Home Care. Count on us to take care of your loved ones. Our experienced caregivers know how to care for individuals with these types of diagnoses. We know that not every individual is the same and requires different solutions. Contact us today to find out about how our team can help you and serve your various needs.