Diabetes: Talk to Your Doctor and Assess Your Risks | News, Sports, Vacancies

Each month brings new awareness as advocates seize the opportunity to educate people in new and creative ways. Although it may be difficult to follow, this tactic is a good one. If, for example, after October the number of people looking for different cancer screening options increases, the effort will be worth it.

Diabetes Awareness Month in November is also important, especially for residents of the Mid-Ohio Valley. Nearly 16% of West Virginians have diabetes, and approximately 12.6% of Ohioans have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.

But these are only patients who are aware of their condition. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that approximately 38 million people in the US have diabetes, but one in five of those people do not know they have it.

“Diabetes occurs when your body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it properly.” said Malcolm Lanham, director of public health for the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department. “When there is not enough insulin or your body stops responding to insulin, there is too much sugar left in your blood, and over time this can cause serious health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease and vision loss.”

There are two different types of diabetes: type 1, in which the person’s body does not produce insulin, possibly due to an autoimmune reaction; and type 2, in which the body does not use insulin well and cannot properly control blood sugar levels.

Understanding symptoms and risk factors is important, as is getting screened. Find out more here: www.cdc.gov/diabetes/.

While lifestyle changes such as eating healthy, exercising and losing weight can make a difference, there is no substitute for developing a plan with your doctor. Whether it’s a prevention plan, symptom and risk assessment, screening, or a plan for living with diabetes, start the conversation.