Chippewa Valley Times

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a period focused on raising awareness about diabetes, its risk factors, and management strategies. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), over 38 million Americans live with diabetes, including 423,500 adults in Wisconsin. Each year, approximately 27,000 adults are diagnosed with diabetes in Wisconsin alone. The ADA highlights that obesity is linked to 53% of new diagnoses annually.

Diabetes occurs when the body struggles to manage high blood sugar levels due to insufficient or inefficient insulin use. Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas that helps lower blood sugar by allowing it into cells for energy use. Without proper insulin function, blood sugar remains elevated, potentially leading to serious health complications if untreated.

Risk factors for developing diabetes include both unchangeable elements like family history, age, and ethnicity, as well as modifiable ones such as weight, physical activity level, cholesterol levels, smoking habits, and blood pressure.

Symptoms of diabetes can vary but often include blurry vision, frequent urination, excessive thirst, tingling or numbness in extremities, slow-healing cuts or bruises, fatigue or hunger. Diagnosis typically involves a hemoglobin A1C test that measures average blood glucose over three months. An A1C level between 5.7%-6.4% indicates prediabetes; above 6.4% confirms diabetes.

Management aims to keep A1C below 7% to prevent complications like stroke and heart disease—conditions twice as likely in people with diabetes compared to those without it. An annual care plan is recommended for effective management and includes regular medical visits and assessments from various healthcare providers.

Living with diabetes increases susceptibility to illnesses; thus yearly vaccinations against flu and other diseases are advised alongside creating a sick day plan with healthcare providers.

With holidays approaching—times often associated with stress—it’s crucial for individuals managing diabetes to maintain healthy routines involving diet control and exercise such as walking regularly throughout the week while balancing carbohydrate intake per meal according to dietary guidelines provided by healthcare professionals.

For further assistance regarding diabetic education or management strategies contact Maggie Phillipps at Western Wisconsin Health via phone number: 715-684-1278.

"American Diabetes Association: Protecting Yourself with Vaccines if You Have Diabetes."

"American Diabetes Association: Ease Diabetes Stress."

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