Staying Healthy and Grateful This Holiday Season
Diabetes is a disease that affects about 38 million adults and is the eighth leading cause of death in the nation. It can also lead to serious health conditions such as heart disease, blindness, amputations, kidney failure and even death. Over the last 20 years, the number of U.S. adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled.
Diabetes occurs when a person’s blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. It is a chronic condition where the body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels due to issues with insulin, a hormone that controls blood glucose.
In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to little or no insulin production. This type often starts in childhood and, in most cases, occurs in people who inherit risk factors from both parents.
Type 2 diabetes is more common in adults and occurs when the body becomes resistant to or doesn’t produce enough insulin. It is often due to lifestyle factors like poor diet and lack of exercise. Research shows you can lower your risk for type 2 diabetes by adopting a healthier diet, staying active and managing your stress.
At this time of year, it’s especially important to make your diabetes self-care fit with family, work, school and holiday activities. Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how to live well with diabetes and prevent serious health complications.
Make and eat healthy food.
Be active most days.
Test your blood sugar often.
Take medicines as prescribed, even if you feel good.
Cope with the emotional side of diabetes and learn to manage stress.
Get enough sleep.
Go to checkups.
Everyone living with diabetes can benefit from diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES). These programs provide personalized services to help you manage diabetes, as well as learn practical skills to find what lifestyle changes work for you.
Additionally, DSMES can help you improve your blood sugar levels to prevent health complications and lower your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol. Be sure to ask your doctor for a program near you.
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