1 in 5 Americans have type 2 diabetes (T2D) and don’t even know it. This unawareness is dangerous, considering diabetes is linked to heart disease, liver disease, and other conditions. American Diabetes Association Alert Day is March 22nd and is a one-day annual wake-up call to know your risk and learn the steps to take control of your health.
Risk Factors for Diabetes
An individual’s chances of developing diabetes depend on a combination of risk factors that include:
- Being overweight
- A family history of diabetes
- Having high blood pressure
- Low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides
- have a history of gestational diabetes or gave birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Dark, thick, and velvety skin around your neck or armpits
You can also assess your risk online with the diabetes risk test on the American Diabetes Association website. If you’re at risk, you should get with your doctor immediately. Taking action now can delay or prevent T2D.
Answer the Wake-up Call
T2D occurs when the body cannot make enough insulin or isn’t able to use insulin properly, resulting in high blood sugar levels. Over time high blood sugar levels can damage the veins and arteries, which transport blood and vital nutrients to every cell in the body. Without adequate supply, every part of the body is affected. As a result, diabetes complications include diseases of the heart, kidneys, liver, nervous system, and more.
Although you can’t change your family history, age, or ethnicity, you can change others. Lifestyle factors such as weight, physical activity, and diet can make a big difference in preventing diabetes. Making healthier choices is also vital to keeping type 2 diabetes under control if you have it. These include:
- Lose weight and keep it off.
- Including 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week.
- Eat healthy foods most of the time. Smaller portions and avoiding processed foods and those high in saturated fats and sugars help reduce calories and weight loss.
If you have diabetes, Synergy Healthcare has Options that May Help!
Synergy Healthcare’s mission is to help bring safer and more effective therapies for the millions of individuals affected by chronic medical conditions. By conducting clinical trials and partnering with patients to participate in them, the hope for improved future treatments is possible.
Explore our enrolling diabetes studies today! Call us at (941) 896-4948 or visit our website to learn more!
Sources:
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/community-health-outreach/diabetes-alert-day
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-type-2-diabetes
