About 25.8 million Americans have diabetes. You don’t have to be overweight, have a genetic predisposition or be a certain age to get the disease. In fact, more than 6 million people have the disease and don’t even realize it because some of the symptoms may not seem threatening – unusual thirst, extreme hunger, increased fatigue and irritability. However, left untreated, diabetes can cause a number of problems including heart disease (high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol), stroke, blindness, kidney failure, circulatory problems and even death. Fortunately, diabetes is preventable and, by knowing your risk and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can help prevent or delay the onset of the diabetes.
Factors you can control
- Excess weight. Being obese or carrying excess body fat also makes your heart work harder and raises your blood pressure and total cholesterol. Belly fat is especially harmful as it releases hormones that decrease your body’s ability to utilize insulin effectively to regulate blood glucose levels.
- Inactivity. Exercising on a regular basis can help you lose weight and lower your cholesterol. It also helps your body use to the insulin that it makes, which helps your body to control your blood sugar better.
- Healthy diet. Eating a well balanced diet and controlling your portion sizes can help prevent diabetes. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains have been proven to help control weight and decrease the risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Factors you can’t control
- Age. People over the age of 45 are more likely to have diabetes than those younger and should have their blood glucose levels checked every three years.
- Heredity. People with a close family history – such as a sibling or parent – of diabetes are more likely to develop diabetes.
- Race. It is more prevalent in people of African American, Mexican American, Pacific Islander and American-Indian decent.
- Gestational Diabetes. Having had gestational diabetes or having had a baby weighing more than 9 pounds at birth also increases your risk. If you were never screened for gestational diabetes but gave birth to a large infant, you may have had this temporary form of insulin intolerance without ever knowing it.
Protect your health
Focus on prevention. If you have any of the risk factors associated with diabetes or your blood sugar levels are creeping up, talk to your doctor about enrolling in a diabetes education program.
Northside Hospital offers an accredited Diabetes Education Program that helps patients learn about diabetes and how to adapt a self-care plan to fit their lifestyle. Comprehensive Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes classes, as well as classes that focus on the prevention of Type 2 diabetes, are available. All classes are taught by registered dietitians, nurses, exercise physiologists, behavior therapists and certified diabetes educators. For more information and class availability, call 404-851-6023 for locations in Atlanta, Alpharetta and Forsyth. Call 678-493-1501 in Cherokee.
