Right on the tail of Halloween, November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. November 14th is actually World Diabetes Day, a day that was chosen to celebrate the birth of Dr. Frederick Banting, one of the men responsible for insulin.
Whether you already have a form of the disease (Type 1, Type 2, or gestational), which is characterized by an overabundance of sugar in your blood, or you or someone you know is considered to be at risk for it, getting the correct information out to the public is one of the primary goals of this month.
Here are some things you can do to participate in diabetes awareness throughout the month of November, and of course, over and beyond that:
- Know and educate others on the warning signs for Type 2 diabetes, the most common form. These can include but are certainly not limited to: a spike in appetite, thirst, or frequency in urination, blurred vision, and fatigue.
- Practice and preach healthy lifestyle choices for those at risk. Avoid sugar and salt, maintain a physically active lifestyle, always take prescribed medications, and be sure to monitor your blood sugar.
- Give back to the community. Whether that’s donating money yourself or participating in a fundraiser, that money goes toward integral research in the fight to eliminate diabetes. Among the many organizations that advocate for diabetes, there is the JDRF and the American Diabetes Association.
- Show your support. The official symbol for diabetes is the Blue Circle.
- Spread awareness through social media. Use and search for hashtags associated with diabetes such as #NDAM, #diabetesawarenessmonth, #diabeticlife, #diabetesawareness, and many more.
- Reassess. If you or a loved one is living with diabetes, take some time this month to make sure you are following the latest and best guidelines for managing the disease. Check out these guidelines for advice.
- Visit our office on a routine basis. High blood sugar can lead to an assortment of issues in your body, aside from diabetes. It can have adverse effects on your heart, kidneys, and even eyes.
For those with diabetes, regular checkups to help prevent gum disease can aid in controlling blood sugar levels. Visit us here at Crossroads Family Dentistry to learn more about how the dentist can keep your whole body in better health.