November is National Diabetes Month, which serves as a time to raise awareness and promote strategies that can help prevent and manage it.
“We’re recognizing all the mothers, fathers, friends and children who live every day with diabetes or prediabetes,” states the American Diabetes Association on its website. “Join us and help make sure each and every one of them gets the support they need to keep going strong.”
Powerful tools
Some 1.4 million Americans will be diagnosed with diabetes this year. According to the American Diabetes Association, whether you’re living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, diet and exercise are two of the most powerful tools you have to help manage the disease.
These factors can help control your blood glucose and impact how you feel on a daily basis.
When it comes to diet, here are some primary guidelines to follow:
• Eat a variety of foods, including vegetables, whole grains, fruits, non-fat dairy foods, healthy fats and lean meats or meat substitutes.
• Try not to eat too much.
• Try not to eat too much of one type of food.
• Space your meals evenly throughout the day.
• Avoid skipping meals.
Physically active
Being physically active can have a direct impact on how you feel as well as help to lower your blood glucose in the process.
According to the American Diabetes Association, some other benefits to dedicating more time to physical activity include:
• Having more energy
• Relieving stress
• Keeping your joints flexible
• Lowering your risk for heart disease and stroke
• Feeling great
Resources
The YMCA of Reading and Berks County recently reminded followers on their Facebook account of the importance of discussing your diabetes risk factors with your healthcare provider, particularly if you are overweight or have a family history of diabetes.
If you are one of the over 38 million Americans who have diabetes, there are many resources in Berks County to help you manage this chronic disease to help improve your quality of life:
Berks Community Health Center (BCHC)
If you have diabetes or pre-diabetes, BCHC is available to help. Their providers can create a treatment plan that is right for you. Treatment for diabetes requires keeping close watch over your blood sugar levels (and keeping them at a goal set by your doctor) with a combination of medications, exercise, and diet. They provide access to care for all patients, regardless of insurance coverage or ability to pay.
For more information: 610-988-4838, www.berkschc.com
Penn State Health Medical Group/Spring Ridge Health Corridor Diabetes Management
For more information: 610-378-2030, https://tinyurl.com/2r5zukem
Tower Health Endocrinology and Diabetes Center
Reading Hospital’s Endocrinology and Diabetes Center specializes in endocrinology and diabetes and brings you the latest in diagnosis, treatment, management, and education — all to keep you healthy and thriving.
For more information: 610-628-4270, https://tinyurl.com/36jnt3yk
Symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes symptoms depend on how high your blood sugar is. Some people, especially if they have prediabetes, gestational diabetes or type 2 diabetes, may not have symptoms. In type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to come on quickly and be more severe.
Some of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes:
• Feeling more thirsty than usual.
• Urinating often.
• Losing weight without trying.
• Presence of ketones in the urine. Ketones are a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat that happens when there’s not enough available insulin.
• Feeling tired and weak.
• Feeling irritable or having other mood changes.
• Having blurry vision.
• Having slow-healing sores.
• Getting a lot of infections, such as gum, skin and vaginal infections.
Type 1 diabetes can start at any age. But it often starts during childhood or teen years. Type 2 diabetes, the more common type, can develop at any age. Type 2 diabetes is more common in people older than 40. But type 2 diabetes in children is increasing.
When to see a doctor
If you think you or your child may have diabetes. If you notice any possible diabetes symptoms, contact your health care provider. The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin.
If you’ve already been diagnosed with diabetes. After you receive your diagnosis, you’ll need close medical follow-up until your blood sugar levels stabilize.
Source: Berkshire mont