November is
National Diabetes Month
Diabetes affects 1 in 16 people living in the Cleveland area. Type 2 diabetes is on the rise and can be linked to being overweight and to a lack of physical activity. A healthy lifestyle, that includes eating well and exercising, can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Risk factors for developing diabetes are:
- Family history
- Being overweight or obese
- Lack of physical activity
- Having high blood pressure
- Being over the age of 35
- Having high cholesterol
- Being a person of color (American Indian, Hispanic, African American or Asian)
Additional risk factors for women:
- Giving birth to a baby over 9 pounds
- Having gestational diabetes
Symptoms of diabetes include:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Extreme tiredness or weakness
- Slow healing wounds or infections
- Blurred vision
- Pain, tingling or numbness in feet or hands
- Unexplained weight loss
Diabetes is diagnosed through a blood test. A fasting test means you have not had anything to eat or drink for 8 hours before the test. A random test can be done at any time, whether you have had food or drink.
Normal blood glucose
Fasting blood glucose between 70-99 mg/dl
Pre-diabetes
Fasting blood glucose between 100-125 mg/dl
Diabetes
Fasting blood glucose of 126 mg/dl or higher or
a random blood glucose over 200 mg/dl
If you have questions, need help managing your diabetes, or would like
a free blood glucose (sugar) test, call the health educators at the
Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland at 216-591-0800.
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