Diabetes Awareness Month
Do you know how your food is turned into energy? Here’s a general breakdown: most of the food we consume turns into glucose for our bodies to expend as energy. The pancreas creates a hormone called insulin to help the glucose get into the cells of our bodies. The catch? Your body has to make enough insulin for this process to work smoothly.
That’s where diabetes (also known as diabetes mellitus) comes in.
Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot properly process food for energy use. The body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use its own as properly as it should. As a result, this causes sugar buildup in the bloodstream, hence the reason people often associate diabetes with sugar.
We’ll get into the severity of this condition a little later on, but the point is: it’s a serious condition, one that 34.2 million Americans – just over 1 in 10 – are diagnosed with, according to the CDC. We think that deserves some serious awareness, so much so that there is an entire month dedicated to diabetes. Yes, November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and we’re here to raise awareness.
Diabetes Awareness Month: Why We Need It
Unfortunately, diabetes is an invisible illness, one that is sometimes difficult for healthy individuals to understand unless they have a diabetic loved one. In general, people only see snapshots of what it’s like to live with diabetes, like when someone has to perform a blood sugar check or injects insulin.
There is so much more.
Whether it’s Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, the condition requires multiple doctor’s visits, careful monitoring, extra healthy eating habits, and regular calculations. This doesn’t even take restless nights and emotional difficulty into account. It can be debilitating.
Because of this “invisible” epidemic, several organizations honor Diabetes Awareness Month each year. On a greater scale, the International Diabetes Federation established World Diabetes Day (WDD) in 1991 to bring attention to this worldwide issue. The federation chose November 14th, the date of Dr. Frederick Banting’s (co-discoverer of insulin) birthday. You can read more about the evolution of World Diabetes Day here.
How to Raise Awareness
Want to get involved? Here are some simple things the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) recommends doing:
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Share on Social Media. Whether you or a loved one are living with diabetes, share your story on social media! You can post as little or as much as you want on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You never know who needs to hear your message.
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Wear Blue. Blue is internationally recognized as the color for diabetes. Wear blue in honor of Diabetes Awareness Month or on November 14th (WDD)!
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Support the DRI. A charitable donation goes a long way in supporting the scientists actively working toward a diabetes cure.
Prevention Tips
Now let’s talk about prevention. Whether you are prediabetic or perfectly healthy, these are lifestyle habits we think everyone should adopt:
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Exercise Regularly. Physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight, lowering blood sugar levels in the process. Be sure to get either 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week.
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Maintain a Healthy Diet. You knew this would be on the list. Stock up on foods high in fiber; think apples, leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts, beans, and whole grains. A well-balanced diet can lower your risk of diabetes as well as heart disease.
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Up Your Water Intake. Did you know 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated? There is a longstanding debate on how much water your body needs every day, but we recommend drinking roughly 10-15 cups a day. When given the choice, turn down sugary soda or juice. Just stick with water.
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Stop Smoking. Last but not least, eliminate smoking if it’s a habit of yours. Not only can it increase the risk of diabetes, but it can also lead to severe health conditions, such as cancer or heart disease.
Questions? Talk with Your Direct Physician.
Diabetes Awareness Month is not meant to scare you. We simply want you and your loved ones to take the appropriate steps in preventing or treating this “invisible” disease. If you have further questions or concerns, our team of dedicated doctors is more than happy to sit down with you and discuss your overall health. If anything, this could be a good reminder to see your direct physician and make sure everything is in check.
At Elevated Health in Huntington Beach, we put our patients first. See how our direct primary care practice operates by scheduling your first appointment. We can answer any questions regarding diabetes or general health via telephone or an in-office appointment. We can’t wait to talk with you.