American Diabetes Association Alert Day is observed annually on the fourth Tuesday in March. This one-day “wake-up call” informs the American public about the seriousness of diabetes and encourages all to take the diabetes risk test and learn about your family’s history of diabetes.

Diabetes Facts:

• Diabetes impacts approximately 34.2 million Americans. That’s about 10.5 percent of the U.S. population.
• Of those living with diabetes, 7.3 million – 1 in 7 adults – don’t know they have it.
• The risk of developing diabetes increases with age. But there are other factors, too. Ethnic background may increase your risk.
• An additional 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes each year.

There are two types of diabetes. While Type 1 diabetes is not as preventable, it can be managed well with insulin injections. Managing Type 1 diabetes might also require frequent blood sugar monitoring, eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight. Education is key to learning how to manage symptoms of Type 1 diabetes. However, type 2 is much more preventable, and some actions can be taken. 

Ways to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes:

• Eliminate sugar and refined carbs
• Work out regularly and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle
• Make water the primary beverage
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Quit smoking
• Eat a high fiber diet
• Optimize Vitamin D levels
• Take natural herbs, such as curcumin and berberine, that increase insulin sensitivity

Type 2 diabetes is not preventable for everyone. However, making healthy choices provides the best chance of not getting it. In the United States, 9 out of every 10 cases of diabetes can be avoided if the above lifestyle changes are implemented. Families, schools, workplaces, communities, and healthcare providers can all work together to make healthy choices easy ones.

The observance encourages you to discover if you or loved ones are at risk for type 2 diabetes. Consider taking this fast and easy Diabetes Risk Test. 

My husband and I both developed type 2 through family history and other medical complications.  We use a carb counting diet every day to help control blood sugars.  Our hard work has kept us from escalation to being insulin injection dependent. Taking control of your family’s health can help prevent serious diabetic problems.

I implore people to learn about this and thier health in general. The best advocate for your health is you. While most professionals give excellent care believe me when I say not all are the same. When it comes to your body, you are the best able to tell what works and what does not. This information can be vital to help medical professionals do their job.

AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION ALERT DAY HISTORY

The American Diabetes Association created Alert Day as part of its awareness programs in 1986.  It has been a part of their growing diabetes education and prevention efforts in the United States ever since.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #AmericanDiabetesAssociationAlertDay

Learn your risk factors. Speak with your doctor and have your blood sugars tested.

Use #AmericanDiabetesAssociationAlertDay to post on social media to share the news about the opportunities all have to check and manage their health risks.