Image is from CEAP
If you are fighting diabetes, no one knows your fight better than another person who is fighting the same battle. If a person is not battling the war on diabetes, more than likely they do not give this illness a second thought.
Is it possible you do not know what an insidious illness diabetes really is to those fighting this illness? During National Diabetes Awareness Month it gives individuals time to reflect, considering their own risks?
Are you even aware of National Diabetes Awareness Month?
Did you know that diabetes affects people in any age group, children, and adults?
Were you aware of the impact diabetes has on your vital organs?
- Heart Attack
- Kidney Disease
- Vision Loss
- Amputation of an extremity
- Stroke
Do you know what health care options are available for you if you have diabetes?
Do you know the warning signs of diabetes if you or a loved one gets this disease?
Knowledge is power, and the more knowledge you have of this disease it helps you protect yourself and your family.
Do you know what your risk factors are for contacting this disease?
- Heredity from a family member
- Unhealthy eating patterns
- No exercise
- Overweight
Did you know that diabetes cases are spiraling out of control throughout the world?
National Diabetes Awareness Month gives you knowledge, and this knowledge gives you the power to fight diabetes, monitor its warning signs, and affords you ways to protect yourself and loved ones.
Diabetes Awareness Month was born in the late 1970’s, proclaimed by the president and Congress as a special day and month to help make everyone aware of diabetes. Now this day is celebrated all over the world on November 14th.
Were it not for the tireless efforts of a Dr. Frederick Banting, your fight with diabetes would be terminal. Dr. Banting discovered insulin, so if you have diabetes, you can control your blood sugar levels, preventing damage to your vital organs.
Twenty years later in the early 1990’s The Diabetes Foundation proclaimed, “World Diabetes Day,” for the sole purpose of informing people. Many special events are set aside in the month of November, such as but not limited to,
- Public Diabetic Screening
- Special Educational Materials and Events
When you see a blue and gray ribbon with a drop of blood or a small heart, this is the symbol for diabetes. The blue circle stands for vitality, health, and life.
If you have diabetes, you need to educate and re-educate yourself so you can help yourself and others regarding living with diabetes, maintaining diabetes, and discovering healthy options for diabetes.
Keep in mind that fighting diabetes lasts a lifetime. Diabetes involves making a lifestyle change in the way of regular screenings, proper diet, exercise, education, and a close relationship with your doctor.
National Diabetes Awareness Month wants to make sure you can sort out all the myths concerning diabetes such as,
- Never let anyone tell you that diabetes is not a serious disease.
- If you are overweight, you will develop diabetes.
- If you eat too much sugar, you will develop diabetes?
- If you have diabetes, you need to eat diabetic foods.
- Starchy foods do not cause diabetes.
- If you have diabetes, you cannot eat sweets or chocolate.
- People with diabetes become sick more often.
- Diabetes is catchy.
- If you have diabetes and suddenly need to start insulin, it means you are not taking care of your diabetes.
- Since fruit is good for you, you should eat as much fruit as you want if you have diabetes.
Get your gray ribbon in November and pass the word on to others.