National Diabetes Month – Prevention Tips

November 14th was World Diabetes Day. As researchers continue to search for answers and solutions for this disease, the incidence rate is drastically increasing.

The Center for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) reported on June 10th that an estimated 29 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, a nearly 12 percent increase in recent years. Another study shows that almost one-fourth of people don’t even know that they have diabetes.

There are 86 million people that are suffering from prediabetes, a condition when you experience high blood pressure problems which can eventually lead to diabetes if not discovered, diagnosed and treated early enough.

It’s a condition that affects the way the body processes sugar which the body normally uses for energy. A diabetic experiences fluctuations in their blood sugar levels because their bodies do not process and use sugar properly. If these high and lows remain uncontrolled they can affect the entire body. Over time, diabetics usually experience high blood pressure, kidney failure, and loss of sight.

Majority of the diabetics in U.S have type 2 diabetes, which is actually quite controllable through a variety of lifestyle changes. 

But what can you do to avoid getting diabetes, and how can the condition be controlled? There are several ways.

1)   Weight Loss Reduces Diabetes Risks

Being overweight is one of the biggest risk factors for diabetes. Did you know that by every kilogram of weight you lose, you reduce your diabetes risk by 16 percent?

2) Drink Sufficient Amounts Of Water

Studies suggest that over-consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages are directly linked with diabetes. So, remove all such beverages from your diet, switch to water instead and see the difference.

3)   Walking Does The Trick

A big reason behind the link between diabetes and obesity is physical inactivity. It’s never too late or too early to get involved in some form of exercise even for those with mobility issues. Exercising regularly including walking is one way to reduce your risk.

4)   Visit Your Doctor Regularly

For diabetics, regular medical monitoring is integral to staying healthy and keeping blood sugar levels in a healthy range. When first starting out, some simple changes in diet may be enough to control your diabetes. If that proves not to be enough, then insulin injections are the next step. It can take a while to find the right dosage of insulin to have a positive effect.

5)   Proper Sleep Is Important

Studies have shown that proper sleep can have a huge impact on how well your body deals with stress, which is what triggers your body’s use (or misuse) of stored sugar. Regular, good sleep can help maintain blood sugar levels.

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