Diabetes Alert Day!

Do  you know your numbers? One in four people has pre-diabetes, a condition that puts you at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. There are no clear symptoms of pre-diabetes, so you may have it and not even know. The first and most important step is to know your numbers - studies show that treatment with modest lifestyle changes can often return blood sugar levels to normal and lower the risk for developing diabetes by at least 58%.

Join Lakewood Hospital and the American Diabetes Association for Diabetes Alert Day on Wednesday, March 26, to receive a free blood sugar, total cholesterol and simple diabetes risk assessment plus foot, eye and body max index (BMI) screenings. All results will be reviewed by diabetes educators and everyone screened will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Giant Eagle card.

Are You at Risk?

Everyone should be aware of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes. People who are overweight, under active (living a sedentary lifestyle) and over the age of 45 should consider themselves at risk for the disease. African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and people who have a family history of the disease are also at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

Unfortunately, diagnosis often comes seven to 10 years after the onset of the disease, after disabling and even deadly complications have had time to develop. Therefore, early diagnosis is critical to successful treatment and delaying or preventing some of its complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and death. 

Take Charge of Your Health

Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or delayed by losing just 7% of body weight (such as 15 pounds if you weigh 200) through regular physical activity (30 minutes a day, five days a week) and healthy eating.  By understanding your risk, you can take the necessary steps to help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

For those diagnosed with diabetes, the Lakewood Hospital Diabetes and Endocrine Center offers disease management, education and prevention, as well as treatment for other endocrine disorders. The center is staffed by Cleveland Clinic endocrinologists and diabetes educators (nurses and dietitians) who work with patients to help manage and improve their conditions. For more information on The Lakewood Hospital Diabetes and EndocrineCenter, visit lakewoodhospital.org/diabetes

Diabetes Alert Day serves as a one-day wake-up call to inform the public about the seriousness of diabetes. On March 26, screenings will be held from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Wasmer Auditorium of Lakewood Hospital. No registration is required for this free event.  For more information, call 216-529-5312 or contact gigavl@ccf.org.

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Volume 1, Issue 9, Posted 3:30 PM, 03.04.2014