Diabetes: Lower Your Risk Starting Today

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Everyday Lifestyle Changes Can Lower One’s Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes

More than 38 million Americans live with the daily symptoms and management of chronic diabetes while another 98 million are at risk of developing the condition and considered prediabetic.

Throughout the month of November and National Diabetes Awareness Month, the focus is on the fight against diabetes and bringing awareness to the steps everyone can take now to lower their risk.

Signs and Symptoms

Diabetes can lead to a range of several symptoms.
  • Frequent urination
  • Excessive thirst
  • Hunger after eating
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Blurry vision
  • Slow-healing cuts or bruises
  • Unexplained weight loss (type 1 diabetes)
  • Tingling, pain, or numbness in hands or feet (type 2 diabetes)
  • Frequent yeast infections

Anyone experiencing these symptoms regularly should consult their primary care provider.

Reducing Risk

According to the American Diabetes Association, implementing simple lifestyle changes can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.
  • Increasing physical activity (at least 30 minutes a day)
  • Eating a healthy diet (fruits and vegetables, limiting sugar or processed foods)
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Quitting smoking

Implementing these adjustments can considerably lessen your risk, enhance your health, and assist in delaying the onset of diabetes and prevent quality-of-life-limiting complications.

Types of Diabetes


Risk factors are different by type:

Type 1 diabetes:


Primarily affects children, teens, or young adults and causes the immune system to attack the body. Risk factors include family history and age.

 

Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes:

Risk factors include being overweight, over 45 years of age, physically inactive, having high blood pressure, a family history of diabetes or a history of gestational diabetes. Minority groups are at higher risk.