CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Right now one in every ten Americans under age 65 and one out of every four Americans age 65 or older has diabetes.

If current trends continue, we can anticipate one out of every three Americans will have diabetes by the year 2050.

This November 14 marks the 25th observance of World Diabetes Day, designated by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to the alarming increase in diabetes around the world. The Montgomery County Health Department asks you to join them in wearing blue Nov. 14 to help raise awareness about diabetes in the community.

While diabetes is a world-wide public health concern, research shows early diagnosis and proper treatment of prediabetes and diabetes make a huge and positive difference in outcomes and the lives of those impacted by the illness.

“There are lots of simple things people can do to take control of their health and reduce their risks of developing diabetes,” said Montgomery County Health Director Joey Smith. “Choosing healthy foods and drinks, watching how much we eat, getting 150 minutes of moderate activity each week and losing as little as five percent of body weight can help prevent Type 2 diabetes in the majority of people with prediabetes.”

Know your risk for developing diabetes
If you have any of the following risk factors, you may be at high risk of developing diabetes:
• You are age 45 or older
• You are a man
• You are a woman diagnosed with gestational diabetes and/or have given birth to a baby weighing nine pounds or more
• You have a first-degree relative with diabetes, such as a parent or sibling
• You have high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol
• You’re inactive
• You’re overweight

Signs and symptoms of diabetes can include extreme thirst, blurry vision, frequent urination, slow wound healing, unexplained weight loss and/or tingling in your hands and feet. If you have any of these symptoms or risk factors, tell your health care provider right away.

“People living with diabetes can help improve their energy, wellbeing and health by making healthy food and drink choices and being physically active,” said Montgomery County Health Department Diabetes RN Nancy Yount. “CDC data show about 9.8 percent of the people living in Montgomery County have diabetes, so our numbers are very close to the national rate of one in 10 Americans. Controlling diabetes can help ensure you’ll be around for your family, your friends and your life.”

To learn more about your risk of diabetes and ways to prevent it, contact your health care provider or the Montgomery County Health Department at 931-648-5747.