Key to diabetes: Prevention

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - November is set aside to bring awareness to a disease that affects the lives of  many people, diabetes. Jamie Vroman is the Clinical Services Pharmacist with Meijer and she shares the risks of diabetes as well as how you can get tested to see if you have it.  People with diabetes are at a greater risk for health issues than their healthy counterparts.  Prevention is the key.  One in three Americans born after the year 2000 are at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. These are children ages twelve and thirteen and younger. Diabetes affects 26 million Americans and an astounding seven million do not even know they have it because they have never been diagnosed.  Most Americans are diagnosed seven years or more after they actually developed the disease.  Some of the risk factors of having diabetes include being over age 45, having a family history and/or gestational diabetes, being overweight and physically inactive, and having high blood pressure, low HDL and high triglycerides.  If diabetes is left uncontrolled, you are twice as likely as someone without it to have a heat attack or stroke.  Diabetes is also the leading cause of new blindness, kidney failure and non-traumatic lower extremity amputations. It can cause problems with digestion and sexual function, too.  During Diabetes Awareness Month, every Meijer Pharmacy or store will be offering free diabetes screenings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on November 3.  Stop by for a free screening and to receive a free recipe booklet, healthy living booklet, foot care tip sheet, top 20 power foods for diabetes, and information on oral and mouth care

Living Well:
Diabetes Awareness
Risk Factors:
-Over age 45
-Family history & gestational diabetes
-Overweight & physical inactivity
-High blood pressure, low HDL, high triglycerides
Uncontrolled Diabetes Risks:
-Twice as likely to have heart attack or stroke
-Leading cause of new blindness and kidney failure
-Non-traumatic lower extremity amputations
-Problems with digestion and sexual function
Preventing Diabetes:
-Physician approved exercise
-Healthy diet
-Weight loss
Diabetes Awareness Month:
Free diabetes screenings
November 3, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Every Meijer Pharmacy Store
-Recipe booklet
-Healthy Living booklet
-Foot care tip sheet
-Top 20 power foods for diabetes
-Oral/mouth care
www.meijer.com