Diabetes Awareness Month at MFM

The month of August is Diabetes Awareness month at MFM. Diabetes is when your blood glucose (blood sugar) is too high. Your blood carries glucose to all your body’s cells for energy. The most common type of diabetes is type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is when the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it resists insulin. Insulin controls the concentration of glucose in the blood.

Symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision. In some cases, some people with diabetes don’t have any of these signs or symptoms. The only way to know if you have diabetes is to have your doctor do a blood test. Treatments of diabetes include diet, exercise, medication, and insulin therapy.

People with diabetes should: talk with a doctor before starting a new physical activity program. After speaking with a doctor, do aerobic activities 20-30 minutes / 3-5 days per week: brisk walking, bike riding, water aerobics, basketball, dancing, to name a few. Also, include exercises to strengthen your muscles and bones: weight lifting, sit-ups, push-ups, squats, and lunges. It is imperative that you stretch to increase flexibility, lower stress, and prevent muscle soreness. When you are being physically active, carry glucose tablets or a carbohydrate-rich snack or drink with you, such as fruit or juice, in case your blood glucose level gets too low.

If you do have diabetes, take it serious and take care of yourself. If you have not had a blood test to see if you’re diabetic, please do so. Make healthy eating and exercise a lifestyle and above all, consult your physician.