American Diabetes Month
American Diabetes Month is designated to raise awareness about this disease. In 2015, it was estimated that diabetes affects 30.3 million Americans, which is 9.4% of the population. An even more amazing number is that of those 30.3 million, there is an estimated 7.2 million individuals who do not know that they have the disease!
This year National Diabetes Month has chosen to focus on promoting health after gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is defined as “a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy.” Most women who develop gestational diabetes will no longer have it once their child is born; however, unfortunately half of those who experience gestational diabetes will go on to develop type 2 diabetes later in their lives. Gestational diabetes will also increase the risk of the child to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
So, if you developed this condition during your pregnancy, the National Institute of Health recommends taking the following steps:
- Get tested for type 2 diabetes within 12 weeks after having your baby. If the test is normal, get tested every 3 years.
- Talk to you doctor if you plan to become pregnant again in the future.
- Tell your child’s doctor if you had gestational diabetes.
- Keep up healthy habits for a lifetime to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
For more information about diabetes, go to the following links:
- diabetes.org
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/communication-programs/ndep/partner-community-organization-information/national-diabetes-month
Contributing Writer: David Talley, Wellness Program Administrator, Employee Development and Wellness Services, Georgia State University