Importance of diabetes prevention and self-management
Most foods get broken down into sugar for your body’s energy. When the food becomes sugar, it then goes into your bloodstream. Insulin is a hormone in the body that is responsible for controlling the amount of sugar in your bloodstream. When a person has diabetes their blood sugar is not controlled because their body is not responding well to insulin or not making enough insulin. According to the CDC, one in five people do not know they have diabetes. Sometimes people do not notice any symptoms.
Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed. Before someone is diagnosed with diabetes, they have prediabetes, meaning their blood sugar is not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes, but is higher than it normally should be. Prediabetes can be prevented and reversed. You can take a quick diabetes risk test here. Diabetes is a self-manageable condition and can be controlled by practicing healthy eating habits, exercising regularly, and following the guidance of your doctors and other medical professionals. There are medications that can be prescribed to help control a person’s blood sugar levels. Medical costs for people with diabetes are twice as high as those who do not have diabetes. Unmanaged diabetes can lead to heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. It is important to have controlled cholesterol and blood pressure levels as well. Well-managed diabetes leads to a healthier and longer life.
To sign up for our free diabetes self-management class at SNHD from 2-4 pm on December 1st and 8th, fill out the online form.
To learn more about diabetes resources, prevention programs, and steps to help control diabetes click here.
