November is National Diabetes Month
During this month, organizations and communities from across the country come together to highlight diabetes and diabetes management. Here are a few facts about this chronic condition:
- Over thirty-seven million people in the United States suffer from diabetes.
- One out of every five people with diabetes don’t know that they have it.
- 90%-95% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
- Diabetes cost about $327 billion (with a “b”) every year!
- Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States.
- Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in Suwannee County.
Manage your diabetes using a team approach
- Take an active role in your health and understand that YOU are a part of your healthcare team!
- Take time to learn about the diabetes and how it can affect you and your family. Remember that knowledge is power, and you have the power to take control of your diabetes.
- Know the ABCs of diabetes: Manage your hemoglobin A1C, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Create your own diabetes self-care plan with help from your doctor.
- Set goals for yourself and work to achieve those goals. Keep good records of your blood sugar results.
- Write down a list of questions to discuss with your doctor including treatment options, medications, dietary changes, and vaccinations.
- Make healthy lifestyle changes – eat right, get moving, manage stress, sleep well, avoid smoking and limit alcohol.
- Consider a local or virtual diabetes self-management education and support program.
- Join the Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP) – a local diabetes self-management program offered by the Department of Health in Suwannee County. For more information or to register for DEEP classes call 386-362-2708.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022, September 30) Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/quick-facts.html National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (2022, November 1) Retrieved from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/community-health-outreach/national-diabetes-month.
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