Embrace a healthy lifestyle to prevent diabetes

Published 12:00 am Friday, November 25, 2016

November is National Diabetes Month — a time to shine light on the 29 million people in the United States living with diabetes and raise awareness of actions people can take to reduce their risk of developing diabetes or limit its impact on their lives.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 86 million U.S. adults are living with prediabetes, and many of them don’t know it. Prediabetes is a serious health condition that increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

People with prediabetes have blood-sugar levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough yet for a diabetes diagnosis. The problem is that 35 percent of adults are prediabetic, but only 7 percent are aware of their condition.

With many chronic conditions, once you receive a diagnosis, there’s no rewind button to reverse the disease. With prediabetes, studies have shown that modest weight loss and regular exercise can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by up to 58 percent in prediabetics. So with minor changes, prediabetics may actually be able to reverse their condition and decrease their risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, as well as enjoy a better quality of life in the process.

TVF&R firefighters responded to 400 diabetic-related calls in 2015. Between Jan. 1 and Oct. 25 of this year, crews have already responded to 433 diabetic-related calls in our service area. An expansion of the district’s service area into Newberg and Washington County Fire District 2 communities may have contributed to the increase in diabetic-related calls our crews have seen so far this year.

TVF&R crews see firsthand the complications and potentially fatal outcomes that patients face as a result of this disease. They know that small changes can yield big results in the fight against diabetes.

As we transition into the holiday season, firefighters challenge you to try cooking lighter versions of your favorite fall and holiday dishes. Many flavorful, slimmed-down recipes can be found online.

Increasing your daily physical activity, taking medication as prescribed by your doctor, and getting routine health checks can also help you stay on track and in control of your health.

For more information about preventing prediabetes, food and fitness tips, and other diabetes resources, visit: