Diabetes Prevention and Control

Prevent and Control Diabetes
What is Diabetes?
?
Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose
levels are above normal.
Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose,
or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy.
The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach,
makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into
the cells of our bodies.
When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't
make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin as well
as it should. This causes sugar to build up in your
blood.

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Who develops
diabetes?
Anyone can develop diabetes, but it is more common in people
who are:
„
Overweight
„
Not physically active
„
Hispanic/Latino (and other ethnicities)
Or who have:
„
A family member with diabetes
„
Had diabetes when pregnant
„
Blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not
yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes
(pre-diabetes)
Diabetes can occur at any
age but the risk increases
as you grow older.

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Why is it important to control Diabetes ?
Because diabetes can
affect any part of the body

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How do youu
know if you have
ve
diabetes?
es?
How do you know if you have diabetes?
• Are you often thirsty, hungry, or tired?
• Do you urinate often?
• Do you have sores that heal slowly, tingling in your feet, or
blurry eyesight?
These MAY be signs of diabetes. Even without these signs, you
could still have diabetes.
Diabetes is a serious disease. It can cause a heart attack or
stroke, blindness, kidney failure, or loss of feet or legs.
But diabetes can be controlled. You can reduce or
avoid these health problems. Take the first step.
Find out if you are at high risk.
If you think you might have diabetes, you must visit
a doctor or other health care provider for diagnosis..

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How do
do yyou m
manage dia
diabetes?
?
People with diabetes must take responsibility
for their day-to-day care, and keep blood
glucose levels from going too low or too
high.
How?
• Healthy eating
• Physical activity
• Blood glucose testing
• Many people with type 2 diabetes require pills,
insulin, or both to control their blood glucose levels.
People with diabetes should see a health care provider
who will monitor their diabetes control and help them
learn to manage their diabetes.
We ca
can be
be sstronger
than D
Diabetes!

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Remember…
Diabetes is serious yet controllable!
1.
Learn about diabetes - what you can do to
control your diabetes
2.
Be physically active every day– dance or walk !
3.
Learn what you should eat. A registered
dietitian can help you plan your meals
4.
Make wise food choices – less fat, low salt.
More fiber (fruits and vegetables)
5.
Visit your doctor or health care provider

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How can I p
prevent d
diabetes??
„
Be more physically active
„
Go for a walk with a friend, a neighbor, your family or take the
dog with you…
„
Don’t take the elevator.. Use the stairs
„
Park further away, walk a few more steps
„
Play with your children, grandchildren or friends
„
Clean around the house
„
Paint your wal s
„
Dance, practice your moves, shake your body – and have some
fun!
„
Eat healthfully
„
EAT MORE FRUITS, vegetables, beans, and whole grains
„
Buy and try a new fruit or vegetable every time you go out
shopping for groceries.
„
CHOOSE HEALTHIER MEALS
„
Change your high fat meals and snacks for fruits, vegetables
or nuts. Drink more water.
„
READ FOOD LABELS.
„
Choose foods with less fat, calories and salt.
„
Reduce the amount of fried food you eat.
„
EAT SMALLER PORTIONS.
„
You can eat anything you want. Just limit the portion sizes of
beef, chicken and fish.
„
Portions should be smal er than the palm of your hand.
FOR MORE INFORMATION on how to prevent diabetes cal
1-800-438-5383 and ask for the fol owing free materials:
• “Movimiento” music CD
• Recipe and Meal Planner Guide
• Your PLAN for preventing diabetes

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Share
e with a f
a friend oor yyour ffamily what
what
you have llearned ab
about D
Diabetes
es
Visit the National Diabetes Education
Program’s web site at
http://www.ndep.nih.gov/
Call 1-800-438-5383 to obtain diabetes
education materials
Visit CDC web site at
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/spanish/index.htm
Call 1-877-232-3422 to obtain diabetes
education materials in Spanish
(Llame a este número para obtener
información en Español)

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