Preventative steps to take against Diabetes

In the Unites States, over 24 million people are living with diabetes.  This disease is the number one cause in the United States of:
· Acquired blindness in adults
· End-stage kidney failure
· Non-traumatic amputations
· And the number one contributor to heart attacks and strokes
In Marion County, it is the seventh leading cause of death.  November is American Diabetes Month, which focuses on the awareness of this serious life- and limb-threatening disease.

According to the American Diabetes Association, if the current diabetes trends continue, one out of every three children born today will develop the disease.  Sponsored by the American Diabetes Association and as part of the American Diabetes Month, this year they are launching Stop Diabetes, an outreach program to fight and stop the epidemic spread of diabetes.

Diabetes is a chronic, lifelong disease where patients have high levels of sugar in their blood.  Three major risk factors for developing diabetes include:  obesity, family history, and previous diseases of the pancreas.  However, there are several ways to change your lifestyle to help prevent developing diabetes no matter when you begin incorporating them into your daily routine:
Get more exercise.  Regular physical activity will help you lose weight and keep your blood sugar levels in check.  Moreover, it will help you sleep better, improve the movement of your bowels, keep your lungs elastic and healthy, decrease your blood pressure and bad cholesterol, and create a general sense of well-being and feeling of empowerment over the health of your body and mind.

Eat plenty of fiber and whole grains.  Eating more fiber and whole grains will also help you lose weight and help improve your blood sugar levels.  Foods high in fiber and whole grains include whole wheat products such as whole wheat bread and brown rice.  Other foods high in fiber include fruits such as apples, oranges, and blueberries, vegetables such as broccoli and corn, and almonds, peanuts, and beans. 

Lose excess weight.  If you are overweight, you are more likely to develop diabetes.  Ask your healthcare practitioner what your ideal body weight is and then make that your target.

Make healthy choices.  Don’t fall for fad diets or exclude a food group.  Instead, eat a variety of different foods and develop a healthy eating plan that works for you, then stick to it.  Try to limit high-fat and high-sugar foods and remember that “a diabetic diet” is actually just another way of saying “a healthy diet.”

Take part in the American Diabetes Month’s Stop Diabetes movement and ask your doctor about glucose screening today.  To schedule an appointment call Marion Regional Healthcare System at 843-431-2000.