American Diabetes Alert Day 2012

What is American Diabetes Alert Day?

American Diabetes Alert Day is a "wake-up" call alerting the American public - "How you will stop diabetes?" On Diabetes Alert Day, people are encouraged to join the “Stop Diabetes” Movement by undertaking the Diabetes Risk Test to figure out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. During this test the individual will require to answer simple questions related to weight, age, family medical history and other prominent risk factors for diabetes. The Diabetes Risk Test (which can be accessed on the ADA’s official web site, www.diabetes.org) reports users whether they are at low, moderate, or high risk for developing diabetes. If they are at high risk, they are advised to schedule an appointment with their healthcare professional.

Why American Diabetes Alert Day is Celebrated?

Diabetes is a fatal disease that strikes about 24 million children and adults in the United States. An additional 57 million or one in every five Americans have pre-diabetes, which is the sign of developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is named as "silent killer" as almost one-fourth of those with the disease, approximately 5.7 million, do not know if they have it. For many, diagnosis may unearth seven to ten years after the onset of the diabetes. Therefore, early diagnosis is imperative for successful treatment and delaying or warding off some of its complications i.e. heart disease, kidney disorders, blindness, heat stroke, amputation and even death.

Disseminate Awareness

In this day awareness regarding diabetes is disseminated. Everyone should be aware of the risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes. People who are obese, under active (leading a sedentary lifestyle) and over the age of 45 are more prone to develop the disease. Hispanics/Latinos, African Americans, Native Americans, Pacific Islander, Asian Americans and people with a family history of the diabetes also are at a high risk for type 2 diabetes.

When is American Diabetes Alert Day Celebrated?

American Diabetes Alert Day is celebrated in March which is on the fourth Tuesday of the month.  This year’s American Diabetes Alert Day was celebrated on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 and it will be observed on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 next year.

Amazing Statistics about Diabetes in America

• 23.6 million Children and adults are combating diabetes in the U.S.
• Nearly one-quarter of those are not even aware that they have diabetes
• One in every five Americans is at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes

What are the Top Warning Signs of Diabetes

Let’s have a brief look at the signs of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes which are similar. In both types of diabetes there is too much starch or glucose in the blood and insufficient glucose in the cells of your body. High glucose level in Type I is due to dearth of insulin as insulin producing cells are destroyed.
Type 2 diabetes is developed when the cells of the body do not accept insulin. In both the situations, your cells did not get the glucose they require, which is known when you receive these signs and symptoms.

Frequent Visits to the Bathroom

Urination gets quite frequent when too much glucose is collected in the blood. If insulin is ineffective, the kidneys become unable to filter glucose into the blood. They try to extract excess water from the blood to dilute the glucose. This makes your bladder full and you keep visiting the bathroom very often.

Unquenchable Thirst

If it feels you're drinking much more than you used to, consider it a sign of diabetes, particularly if you think it is accompanied by frequent urination.

Losing Weight without any Plausible Reason

This symptom is more evident with Type 1 diabetes. In Type 1, the pancreas stops producing insulin, possibly because of a viral attack on pancreas cells or due to an autoimmune response. It begins to break down muscle tissue and fat for fuel. Type 2 happens gradually with enhancing insulin resistance hence weight loss is not so noticeable.

Weakness and Fatigue

Glucose fetched from the food we eat travels into the blood where insulin is supposed to enable the transition into the cells of our body. It is used by cells to produce the energy we need to live. When the cells don't react to it the glucose don’t get sucked by the cells in the bloodstream. The cells don’t get energy and you feel run down.

Tingling in your Hands, Legs or Feet

It occurs over time as continuous high glucose in the blood effects the nervous system. Nerve damage can develop without your knowledge.

These are a few of the symptoms which you should keep noticing if you suspect of getting developed diabetes and you must immediately seek medical assistance.

American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is combating against the deadly out comes of diabetes and struggling for those suffering with diabetes. The Association offers financial support to the research to ward off, cure and handle diabetes; delivers services to number of communities; offers objective and genuine information; and gives voice to those barred from their rights due to diabetes.