Diabetes Awareness Month

Know your risk factors and take control of your health

by Tracy Beckmann, RDN, LD, CDCES

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes, a condition that can cause high blood sugars, affects over 38 million people in the United States .High blood sugars can damage important organs, such as your kidneys, eyes, nerves and heart. Diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. The most common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes.

It is important to know your risk factors for type 2 diabetes. You are at higher risk to develop diabetes if you:

• Are 45 years of age or older

• Have a family member with diabetes

• Are not physically active

• Have fatty liver disease

• Have ever had gestational diabetes or given birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds

• Are of African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, or Alaska Native heritage.

You can take steps to lower your risk of diabetes and related health problems. See if one of the goals below is right for you and take charge of your health today!

• Focus on adding in a brisk 30-minute walk most days.

• Break up sedentary activity by standing up every hour for a short 2-minute “exercise snack.”

• Add more colorful fruits and vegetables to your diet.

• Focus on drinking mostly water or zero-calorie beverages.

• Ask your doctor about your ABCs (A1c, Blood Pressure, and Cholesterol).

Ready to start the journey toward better health? Find out more about Cascade Health’s Diabetes & Nutrition Education programs here, or call 541-228-3020.