November is American Diabetes Month, and while it’s important to be aware of diabetes year-round, this month, right before the holidays, is a great time to start or renew your commitment to living a healthy lifestyle and preventing the disease. More than 30 million Americans have diabetes, and another 96 million have prediabetes, which means their blood sugar levels are high but not yet in the diabetic range. Of those with prediabetes, 80% don’t even know they have it. If you or someone you know has diabetes, it’s important to be aware of the risk factors and what you can do to prevent the disease or manage it if you have it. AFC Urgent Care Southington has created a guide for you to keep in mind during American Diabetes Month.

The Different Types of Diabetes to Worry About!

There are two main types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin or does not use it effectively. In either case, high blood sugar levels can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke and blindness.

There are other types of diabetes like gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy. It is not as common as type 2 diabetes, but it can lead to both you and your newborn to develop it later on in life if unmanaged. 

Type 2 diabetes can be controlled through diet and exercise, while type 1 needs medication to manage symptoms. If you think you may have diabetes, it’s important to see your doctor right away so you can get treatment as soon as possible.

Prediabetes Is on the Rise!

Pre-diabetes is a condition where your blood sugar levels are above normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. This means that you’re at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and may need to make changes to your diet and lifestyle to prevent this from happening. 

Pre-diabetes signs and symptoms include:

• feeling tired
• needing to urinate frequently
• having dark urine or dry skin

You can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by making some lifestyle changes. These include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and not smoking.

Diabetes Is Preventable!

There is a higher probability of developing other serious health issues like heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and nerve damage if you do not manage your symptoms or diabetes now. This is why it’s important not to skip out on your doctor’s appointment. Getting a checkup and an A1C test will help you determine how high your blood sugar levels are so you can take necessary actions to lower them. Your blood glucose levels can be controlled by making changes to your lifestyle that include diet changes, more physical activity, and more frequent blood testing. If you do have diabetes, you can still manage it mentally and physically by making lifestyle modifications and following up with your doctor on a diabetes management plan.

While there are many different types of diabetes, they all have the same underlying causes. They can be managed with a combination of medication, healthy eating, and regular exercise. If you are diabetic, you may need to take more insulin to control your blood sugar and glucose levels. If you’re prediabetic, it’s important to keep an eye on your blood sugar and make adjustments to your diet and lifestyle if necessary. Diabetes can be managed, and prediabetes can be prevented. So, don’t delay, get screened for diabetes and tested today!

Are You Worried About Your Blood Sugar Levels? Come Get Them Checked At AFC Urgent Care Southington

If you’re worried that you could have diabetes or prediabetes, you should get screened for it and get routine blood work. AFC Urgent Care Southington offers checkups for diabetes and a1c tests to check your blood sugar levels. You can walk-in or make an appointment online to see us any day of the week!