Preventing Diabetes

Today, there are approximately 57 million people in the United States with pre-diabetes, a condition that raises a person's risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke; could you be one of them? Healthy lifestyle habits are the key to delaying or preventing type 2 diabetes from happening to you.

Warning Signs

Start a diabetes discussion with your doctor today by evaluating this list of classic "red flag" symptoms together (not always present):

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Extreme hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing sores or frequent infections

• Itchy skin

Know Your Risk

How many of the following controllable risk factors apply to you?

• I am carrying excess weight, especially around the middle (apple-shaped body type)
• I am physically inactive
• I have high blood pressure
• I have abnormal blood fats (high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol and/or high triglycerides)
• I am getting older
• I had a baby over 9 pounds at birth

• I have a family history of diabetes

Take Action - Help Reduce Your Risk

• Move: Exercise will boost overall body function and help with weight management. Walk N Talk with the Doc is a great way to get started.
• Eat Smart: Replace processed foods with fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, choose non-fat or low-fat diary, select only lean cuts of meat and make sure to buy whole grains.
• Drop Those Extra Pounds: Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to preventing diabetes. St. Vincent Healthcare's Weight Management Clinic can help.

• Nix Those Bad Habits: Limit alcohol to no more than one drink per day and quit smoking.

Diabetes Prevention Project

Join the 16-week Diabetes Prevention Project. Participants meet weekly at the YMCA for 16 weeks with their Lifestyle Coach (Registered Dietitian), where they learn about the balance between healthy eating and physical activity.
New classes are starting soon, call 237-8599 for more information.