American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day, observed annually on the 4th Tuesday in March, is a 1-day wake-up call to inform the American public about the seriousness of diabetes, particularly when diabetes is left undiagnosed or untreated.
Held March 28, 2017, American Diabetes Association Alert Day is a day to sound the alarm about the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in American adults by asking America to take the American Diabetes Association Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test. The free, anonymous risk test is available online or via a one-sided handout, and only takes a minute to complete. With questions such as “Do you have a family history of diabetes” and “Are you physically active,” participants can learn if they’re at risk for type 2 diabetes in 60 seconds. – http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/diabetes-risk-test/?loc=alertday
(pdf version: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-communication-programs/ndep/am-i-at-risk/diabetes-risk-test/Documents/2017_NDEP_Risk_for_Type_2_Diabetes_508.pdf )
Diabetes affects more than 29 million Americans or about 9 percent of the U.S. population. It’s also estimated that 1 in every 4 persons with diabetes, or 8 million Americans are unaware that they have the disease. If you have a family history of diabetes, you have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes. You are also more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you are over age 45, are overweight, or are not physically active.
Diabetes increases your risk for many serious health problems. The good news? With the correct treatment and recommended lifestyle changes, many people with diabetes are able to prevent or delay the onset of complications such as:
- Skin Complications
- Eye Complications
- Neuropathy
- Foot Complications DKA (Ketoacidosis) & Ketones
- Kidney Disease (Nephropathy)
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- Stroke Hyperosmolar
- Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS)
- Gastroparesis
- Heart Disease
- Mental Health
- Pregnancy Related Conditions – See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/?loc=lwd-slabnav#sthash.zawwdGaw.dpuf
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