Why is Diabetes Alert Day important?

• 23.6 million children and adults in the U.S. have diabetes
• Nearly one-quarter of those do not know they have diabetes
• One in five Americans is at risk for developing type II diabetes

For many, diagnosis may come seven to ten years after the onset of the disease. Therefore, early diagnosis is critical to successful treatment and delaying or preventing some of its complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and death.

Everyone should be aware of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes. People who are overweight, under active (living a sedentary lifestyle), and over the age of 45 should consider themselves at risk for the disease. African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and people who have a family history of the disease are at an increased risk for type II diabetes.

Watch this video to learn more.

Source: This post was a excerpt from: 21st Annual Diabetes Alert Day. In Community Programs and Local Events. Alexandria, VA: American Diabetes Association. [cited March 22, 2009] Available at <http://www.diabetes.org/communityprograms-and-localevents/ american-diabetes-alert.jsp?WTLPromo=FNLP_alert>

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In recognition of American Heart Month, this video recognizes the 2nd cause of death among American women. Stroke is a complication of cardiovascular disease, CVD (also known as heart disease). The NYTimes.com “Living with…” video chronicles strokes that resulted from heart disease brought on by years of obesity and Type II Diabetes. While heart attack and congestive heart failure affect the vessels of and ultimately the heart itself, stroke is a result of complications in the vessels that supply the brain instead. This results in localized damage to the brain. Unfortunately, many people still do not recognize the signs of a stroke and therefore delay urgently needed treatment. Because every second without treatment counts, learn these warning signs of stroke and teach them to others:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Watch Living with: Stroke

(videos are listed in reverse chronological order on the right, use mouse to highlight and select video titled “Living with: Stroke”, February 2009)

Sources: americanstrokeassociation.org and more about “NYTimes.com Living With: Stroke“, posted with vodpod

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