November is diabetes month—diabetes rates are rising, and untreated diabetes symptoms can lead to serious complications, including heart disease, stroke, the loss or extremities, blindness, or kidney disease.
Many people don’t immediately recognize signs of diabetes; in type 2 diabetes in particular signs of diabetes develop slowly and can be too subtle to notice. The key is to see doctors regularly, that is, a general practitioner who can identify signs of diabetes like protein in urine and high blood pressure, and an eye doctor who can identify rapid vision changes.
You can see how early signs of diabetes, like increased urination, can lead to the more complicated diabetes symptoms like kidney disease. Fortunately, diabetes symptoms can be managed, although it involves quite the lifestyle change. For some people with type 2 diabetes, a dramatic lifestyle change—super healthy eating (all the staple: fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean proteins plus no processed sugar), the recommended 30 minutes a day of exercise (starting with what you’re capable of/your doctor recommends and increasing in difficulty), and weight loss can effectively cure diabetes.
Managing diabetes is getting easier—new technology will soon allow for blood sugar levels to be monitored sans blood prick, and apps on your phone can encourage the lifestyle changes that can help minimize diabetes symptoms.
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