Diabetes Awareness Month
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November is Diabetes Awareness Month
If you are a diabetic, every month needs to be diabetes awareness month. Being in charge of your diabetes care and overall health management has to start and end with you every day.
There are so many resources available to help educate and guide people with diabetes. Doctors, nurses, dieticians, and resources like the American Diabetes Association all play a part in helping people with diabetes and in diabetes awareness.
Taking charge of your Diabetes
Diabetics understand the risks associated with not managing their diabetes. Some of the risks associated with diabetes are: diabetic retinopathy, kidney disease, foot problems, heart disease, and even gum disease.
The best way to reduce complications from diabetes is to have a health plan and stick to it. A health plan usually consists of the following: daily exercise, daily glucose testing, following a low glycemic diet, daily self exams of skin and feet, annual physical, bi-annual dental exams, and more.
Diabetes Awareness Importance
The importance of having a diabetes awareness month cannot be overlooked. According to the American Diabetes Association, there are currently 18-20 million people in the United States that are diabetic and the number is expected to grow dramatically over the next decade.
Why is the number of diabetics growing? The number one cause of type 2 diabetes in the United States is obesity. Type 2 diabetes is associated with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a direct affect of obesity.
Diabetes awareness month will hopefully educate people on the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight. A healthy body weight can usually be maintained by consuming a low fat diet and by participating in a daily exercise routine.
If you are concerned about diabetes or think you may currently be pre-diabetic, make an appointment with your primary care doctor immediately. Diabetes can be avoided with simple life style changes that can be made with the help and guidance of your doctor.