World Diabetes Day occurs on November 14, during American Diabetes Month in November
National Diabetes Month is observed every November so individuals, health care professionals, organizations, and communities across the country can bring attention to diabetes and its impact on millions of Americans. Personalized Cause offers a personalized blood drop enamel awareness ribbon pin. It is available in both a personalized and non-personalized version to honor someone with diabetes. It is also perfect to raise diabetes awareness.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. That figure, however, is likely underreported. While over 34 million Americans live with diabetes, one in five of them doesn’t know they have it. The numbers are increasing. In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled. In addition, the population has, on average, grown older and more overweight.
Diabetes Management
While there is still no cure for diabetes, there is an increasing number of ways to effectively prevent and manage it. Patients at risk for diabetes can cut their risk in half by eating healthfully and being more active. Lifestyle change programs have reduced the incidence of type 2 diabetes in long-term participants by 27 percent.
Advances in technology have made it easier to manage one’s own insulin levels. Further, emerging research has provided even more reasons to be hopeful. Still, the biggest weapon against diabetes is a greater awareness of the subject. Awareness of diabetes is important in both the public and medical community.
Renewed Focus on Education on World Diabetes Day
November is American Diabetes Month. It’s a time for those who are at risk for diabetes to get educated and find resources to support them. It’s also an opportunity for healthcare professionals to renew their understanding of diabetes.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. Glucose comes from the foods you eat. Insulin is a hormone that helps the glucose get into your cells to give them energy. With type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin. With type 2 diabetes, the more common type, your body does not make or use insulin well. Without enough insulin, the glucose stays in your blood.
You can also have prediabetes. This means that your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. Having prediabetes puts you at a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause serious problems. It can damage your eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Diabetes can also cause heart disease and stroke. It can even cause the need to remove a limb. Pregnant women can also get diabetes, called gestational diabetes.
(Content: medlineplus.gov, niddk.nih.gov Image: Pinterest)
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