The American Diabetes Association observes a number of wellness days throughout the year. This month, they will hold American Diabetes Association Alert Day – a one-day event that highlights methods of reversing the risk for diabetes and encourages people from all walks of life to take the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test.
With an estimated 86 million Americans living with prediabetes – 90% of which have no idea that they have it – American Diabetes Association Alert Day is more important now than ever before.
Here are a few ways you can get involved!
Educate Loved Ones about Prediabetes
As the name implies, prediabetes is the condition that comes before full-blown type 2 diabetes. Many people are living with this condition – but they may have no idea that they have it, and so they don’t do anything to reverse it. Other people know they have it, but they’re not aware that they can do something to help, or they don’t think it’s worth changing their lifestyle for.
Type 2 diabetes comes with a lot of serious complications. Fatigue, blurry vision, and cuts or sores that won’t heal are just a few of the symptoms of this condition, and although it’s historically a disease that affects those over 40, it’s starting to show up in younger people – even children.
If your friend or loved one is overweight, sedentary, suffers from high blood pressure, has a family history of type 2 diabetes, is from an ethnic group that has a higher risk for type 2 diabetes, has low good cholesterol levels, or has high triglyceride levels, it’s essential that you talk to them about improving or maintaining their health.
Be Proactive
To start a conversation with your friends, family members, or coworkers, download the e-toolkit for American Diabetes Association Alert Day from the American Diabetes Association website. The toolkit includes social media messages and images, customizable posters, steps for success, and much more.
With type 2 diabetes, time is of the essence. Changes must be made now in order to prevent costly, troublesome, and dangerous health complications down the line.
Why Is BioTech So Passionate about American Diabetes Association Alert Day?
Here at BioTech Limb & Brace, we work with a lot of people who have diabetes and need special diabetic shoes. However, selling diabetic shoes to as many people as possible isn’t our focus – our goal is to help people live a long, enjoyable, fulfilling life.
Do we help people with diabetes live comfortably, and do we take great care of them? Of course. But we’re also passionate about the health and wellbeing of our patients – and if there’s a way to help them avoid type 2 diabetes, we’re all about it!
Contact us today for more information on foot orthotics, prosthetic devices, and more.