November is National Diabetes Month, and it is a time everyone can learn a little bit more about diabetes, who it affects, and ways to prevent it. Diabetes is a condition where they body does not produce adequate amounts of a hormone called insulin, which results in high blood sugar. If untreated, high blood sugar can cause problems, such as nerve damage, vision problems, and kidney injury. It is imperative to control blood sugars or prevent the condition all together if possible.
More likely than not, you know someone who is or may be affected by diabetes. Over 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, which is 9.4% of the populations. About 1 in 3 adults aged 20 years or older has prediabetes, and 90% of them don’t know they have it. Risk factors for prediabetes and developing diabetes include age, genetics, being overweight, and having a history of gestational diabetes.
Those numbers can be staggering. However, a majority of people have the
prediabetes. Which means they have neither the strict guidelines to follow yet nor the complications. The best part is that prediabetes is actually reversible! Although no one can change their age or genetics, people can change other risk factors, namely by losing weight and increasing exercise. By delaying the onset of diabetes, it can save thousands of dollars as diabetic medications and tools can be expensive. It can save time, as diabetes care and doctor’s visits can be time intensive. And it can increase quality of life by delaying several health problems down the road.
When it comes to preventing diabetes and reversing prediabetes, some people do not know where to start with weight loss and exercise, especially if they have never tried it before. For those ready to take the next step to better their health, Trinity Muscatine Public Health offers the Diabetes Prevention Program. It is a support program that meets once a week to help you start and keep with the weight loss journey and becoming physically fit. If you have questions or would like to join the Diabetes Prevention Program, you can reach out to the Trinity Muscatine dietitians through the phone number listed below. Improve your life both today and in the future!
UnityPoint Health-Trinity Muscatine
Public Health Department
1609 Cedar Street
Muscatine, Iowa
563-263-0122
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