November 14th is World Diabetes Day! Held on November 14th each year, World Diabetes Day aims to raise awareness of the causes, effects and complications of diabetes. This day celebrated around the world also includes providing conferences and educational programs regarding the treatment and management for those living with the condition. Many use this day to promote fund raising for both treatment and cures, as well as, encouraging those around them to make lifestyle changes to fight the onset of this disease. Whether you know a friend, family member, or you yourself is living with diabetes, take today to raise awareness and evoke change!
- About one third of all people with diabetes do not know they have the disease.
- Type 2 diabetes often does not have any symptoms.
- Only about five percent of all people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
- If you are at risk, type 2 diabetes can be prevented with moderate weight loss (10–15 pounds) and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (such as brisk walking) each day.
- A meal plan for a person with diabetes isn’t very different than that which is recommended for people without diabetes.
- Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults.
- People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease than someone without diabetes.
- Good control of diabetes significantly reduces the risk of developing complications and prevents complications from getting worse.
- Bariatric surgery can reduce the symptoms of diabetes in obese people.
- Diabetes costs $174 billion annually, including $116 billion in direct medical expenses.
More info: https://worlddiabetesday.org/