Diabetes is a serious medical condition that affects millions of people in the United States every day. The disease affects the production of insulin in your body and may lead to sugar build up in your blood. If not managed it may also damage nerves, blood vessels, the heart and the kidneys.
November is Diabetes Awareness month and we want everyone to know the signs and symptoms so that they can prevent it. As it affects millions of people, there are also millions of people who are not aware that they are borderline diabetic. Being prediabetic puts you at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
AFC Urgent Care Norwalk encourages everyone to read up on diabetes and to get their blood sugar levels checked.
Diabetes is more common than you think
The numbers don’t lie and every year there is always updated information on the disease and people affected by diabetes and it’s different types. A study on Diabetes in the United States from the CDC show that:
- 30.3 million people have diabetes
- 84.1 million adults aged 18 years or older have prediabetes (This is approximately one third of the U.S Population)
- 23.1 million adults aged 65 years or older have prediabetes
Looking at these numbers can be alarming (!), especially when we consider the population who have prediabetes. People with prediabetes often have elevated blood sugar levels, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. You or your loved ones may fit that population of being prediabetic and therefore it is important to get your blood sugar levels checked regularly as diabetes can affect anyone at any age.
Know the signs and symptoms of diabetes
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms you may be at risk for developing prediabetes or full blown Type 2 diabetes.
- Increased thirst and urination
- Increased hunger
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands
- Sores that do not heal
- Unexplained weight loss
- Have prediabetes
- Are overweight
- Are 45 years or older
- Have a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes
- Are physically active less than 3 times a week
- Have ever had gestational diabetes or given birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds
- Have high blood pressure or take medicine for high blood pressure
- Have high cholesterol blood levels
Diabetes may also come with other health complications
This year's National Diabetes Awareness Month's main focus is on the link between the disease and cardiovascular disease. Having diabetes raises your risk for developing other dangerous conditions such as:
- Heart disease
- Heart Attack
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Nerve damage
- Eye problems
Your lifestyle can say a lot about your physical health. If you also smoke you’re increasing your risk of developing one or more of these other health complications. This is because smoking narrows blood vessels, which makes it harder for your heart to function as it should.
You’re also at risk for diabetes if you’re pregnant
Gestational Diabetes can affect both the mother and child during and after pregnancy. During the final trimester a woman is at risk of developing gestational diabetes due to an increase in hormones. It’s important during this time to make sure you protect your newborn from developing diabetes by managing it with a doctor beforehand. If you do get gestational diabetes you still have a chance to prevent yourself from developing type 2 diabetes down the road. In addition, protecting your child now will prevent them from developing diabetes early on in their lives as well.
Get your blood sugar levels checked at AFC Urgent Care Norwalk
In light of Diabetes awareness month, AFC Urgent Care Norwalk encourages everyone to get their blood sugar levels checked for diabetes.
AFC Urgent Care Norwalk is open 7 days a week with extended hours on the weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm and we have weekend hours from 8 am to 5 pm. There is no appointment needed when visiting our center. We also accept most insurances.
