Post by Editor on Mar 19, 2009 14:02:49 GMT -5
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments' Home Health Nursing staff announce that Tuesday, March 24th has been proclaimed the American Diabetes Alert Day. This one-day call-to-action is held on the fourth Tuesday of March for people to find out if they are at risk for diabetes. The Alert's goal is to raise awareness that diabetes is serious, you can have diabetes
and not even know it.
What is diabetes? Diabetes means that your blood glucose (sugar) is too high. Your blood always has some glucose in it because the body needs glucose for energy to keep you going. Too much glucose in the blood is not good for your health.
Could you have diabetes? Diabetes is a silent disease. You could have it for years and never know it. During this time, your eyes, nerves, and kidneys may have been harmed by too much sugar in your blood.
Who is at risk diabetes? Your risk for diabetes increases as you get older, gain too much weight, or if you do not stay active. Diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Risk for diabetes include:
* Having high blood pressure (at or above 130/80)
* Having a family history of diabetes
* Having diabetes during pregnancy or having a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth.
Don't wait for the signs. Most people with diabetes do not notice any symptoms. However if you should have any of these symptoms, call your health care provider right away.
* Very thirsty
* Frequent urination
* Losing weight without trying.
What can you do? You can do things now to lower your risk for diabetes by: * keeping you weight in control; * eating low fat meals that are HIGH in fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods; * staying active most days of the week.
The Home Health Nursing staff of the Henry and Stark County Health Departments urge area residents to learn more and get involved. If you or the people you care about are at high risk for diabetes, you should learn more and get involved.
* Ask you health care provider about your risk for diabetes during your next visit. * Call 1-800-342-2383 for free
information about diabetes. * Share this information with family, friends and neighbors. Help find the 6.2 million Americans with undiagnosed diabetes.
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and not even know it.
What is diabetes? Diabetes means that your blood glucose (sugar) is too high. Your blood always has some glucose in it because the body needs glucose for energy to keep you going. Too much glucose in the blood is not good for your health.
Could you have diabetes? Diabetes is a silent disease. You could have it for years and never know it. During this time, your eyes, nerves, and kidneys may have been harmed by too much sugar in your blood.
Who is at risk diabetes? Your risk for diabetes increases as you get older, gain too much weight, or if you do not stay active. Diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Risk for diabetes include:
* Having high blood pressure (at or above 130/80)
* Having a family history of diabetes
* Having diabetes during pregnancy or having a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth.
Don't wait for the signs. Most people with diabetes do not notice any symptoms. However if you should have any of these symptoms, call your health care provider right away.
* Very thirsty
* Frequent urination
* Losing weight without trying.
What can you do? You can do things now to lower your risk for diabetes by: * keeping you weight in control; * eating low fat meals that are HIGH in fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods; * staying active most days of the week.
The Home Health Nursing staff of the Henry and Stark County Health Departments urge area residents to learn more and get involved. If you or the people you care about are at high risk for diabetes, you should learn more and get involved.
* Ask you health care provider about your risk for diabetes during your next visit. * Call 1-800-342-2383 for free
information about diabetes. * Share this information with family, friends and neighbors. Help find the 6.2 million Americans with undiagnosed diabetes.
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