Gina Noe
November is American Diabetes Month. Diabetes is a serious and potentially life threatening illness that affects people of all ages, race and ethnicity. According to the Kentucky Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, one in seven adult Kentuckians (14.3 percent) have diabetes. It is the fifth leading cause of death by disease.
Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to control blood sugar. The effects of diabetes can include blindness, kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, and nerve damage.
Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless. Studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.
Some diabetes symptoms include:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Unusual weight loss
- Increased fatigue
- Irritability
- Blurry vision
Diabetes is treatable. A combination of diet, physical activity and in some cases, medication, can improve the body’s ability to control blood sugar. Ignoring diet, physical activity or medication is like playing with fire. The person who does this will get burned sooner or later from the side effects of poorly controlled blood sugar.
The 6th Annual Diabetes Day Health Fair will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Richmond. If you or someone you know is affected by diabetes, take this opportunity to learn about products and services that will decrease costs and increase quality of life for those with the disease.
Several free screenings will be offered. To sign up for a free kidney screening, call 1-800-737-5433. Walk-ins will be welcome for this screening, but appointments are preferred. There also will be diabetic foot checks, blood pressure screening, body mass index tests, carbon monoxide testing and a derma-scan test for sun damage. There will be several educational booths.
For more information on the health fair, call the Madison County Health Department Diabetes Center of Excellence at 623-3462.
Educational programs of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
