Health & Fitness
What You Need To Know About Diabetes
In honor of American Diabetes Association Alert Day®, learn what you can do to help prevent, manage and live with the disease.
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that impacts how your body produces or uses insulin, which affects your blood glucose levels. To raise awareness of this condition, the American Diabetes Association established Alert Day®, which falls on the fourth Tuesday of March annually. This year, American Diabetes Association Alert Day® will be observed on Mar. 28, 2023.
If you’re ready to learn more about diabetes, Banner Health is here to help. Banner provides a range of medical services — including offering educational resources that help you take charge of your health.
Take the short quiz below to test your knowledge on diabetes!
Taking the quiz is a great first step to learning about diabetes. Here are some additional tips to help prevent prediabetes and type 2 diabetes:
- Adopt a healthy diet. Healthy eating offers a host of benefits, including increasing energy, boosting mood and helping control weight. It’s even more important with respect to diabetes prevention and management, as the foods you eat directly impact your blood glucose levels. Lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains should be prioritized; foods that are high in sugar, simple carbohydrates and/or fats should be limited when possible.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and can contribute to other health complications, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. In December 2022, the American Diabetes Association outlined new standards of care; previously the ADA stated that taking off 5% of your body weight could have significant benefits on your health. New recommendations state that taking off 15% of body weight can have significant health benefits.
- Incorporate regular exercise into your routine. Regular physical activity improves your body’s ability to efficiently use insulin. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as walking or biking, five days a week can improve your blood sugar levels. You can also consult with your doctor to create an exercise plan that suits your needs and lifestyle.
- Know the risk factors. In addition to low physical activity, higher weight and sleep disorders, there are several other risk factors of diabetes to be aware of. Other health conditions, including abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels, high blood pressure and polycystic ovary syndrome, can put you at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Your age, race and family history can also contribute to the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. If you are considered higher risk, it’s especially vital to be proactive by taking preventive steps and checking in regularly with your doctor.
- Get tested if you have symptoms. Talk to a medical professional if you are experiencing increased thirst, increased urination and slow healing of cuts and/or bruises — these are the most common symptoms of diabetes. Your doctor can then conduct a blood glucose test, an oral glucose tolerance test, or an A1C test to determine whether your glucose levels are abnormal.
To learn more about your risk for type 2 diabetes, click here to take a free health risk assessment from Banner Health. And if you or a loved one have already been diagnosed with diabetes, Banner Health can help. Many of its hospitals offer diabetes classes and support groups. Diabetes is a complex disease, but you don’t have to fight it alone.
More about Banner Health: Banner Health provides a comprehensive range of medical care and services to help you achieve and maintain your best health. Banner’s health professionals diagnose and treat all types of diabetes, as well as provide management services like blood sugar testing, wound care and support groups. You can also turn to Banner for your everyday medicine needs, including primary care, urgent care, outpatient surgery and emergency services.
