Westport Lions Roar
By Lion Bob Reddick
The first step in combating diabetes is awareness and education. November is Diabetes Awareness Month across the globe. On Saturday, November 16 the Westport Lions will be at Circle K, Westport’s LCBO and a downtown location providing resources and information to combat this disease. The Lions’ Diabetes Tag Day is an opportunity for our community to educate themselves about diabetes and show their support for individuals living with diabetes by donating money to fund education, support services, advocacy, and diabetes research.
Prediabetes does not always lead to diabetes. Research has shown that individuals who take steps to manage their blood sugar levels when diagnosed with prediabetes can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. By increasing physical activity and adopting a healthy, low-fat diet, it is possible to lower blood sugar levels. Now is the time to make small lifestyle changes to ensure a future without diabetes.
Currently, 11.7 million Canadians are living with diabetes or prediabetes, which is one in three of us. Over 50% of type 2 diabetes are preventable through diet and exercise. The World Health Organization estimates that 463 million people in the world have diabetes and by 2045, that number is expected to rise to 700 million. Diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the world.
If diabetes runs in your family, it is especially important for you to manage your weight and engage in moderate physical activity to lower your risk. Be mindful of your diet by consuming plenty of fiber-rich foods, such as whole grains and vegetables, while avoiding deep-fried and fatty foods.
Prediabetes can occur without a person knowing it, making it crucial to be aware of your risks and to get tested. If you want to assess your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, visit: http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/diseases-conditions-maladies-affections/disease-maladie/diabetes-diabete/canrisk/index-eng.php. The test only takes a few minutes to complete and is a quick, easy, and confidential way to determine your risk.
The signs and symptoms of diabetes include the following:
- Unusual thirst
- Frequent urination
- Weight change (gain or loss)
- Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
- Blurred vision
- Frequent or recurring infections
- Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
- Trouble getting or maintaining an erection
It is important to recognize that many people who have type 2 diabetes may not display any symptoms. Over one million people in Canada have diabetes and don’t know it.
The first step in preventing or delaying the onset of these complications is recognizing the risk factors, as well as signs and symptoms of diabetes. If you are 40 or older, or you score high on the risk calculator you should get tested every three years. If you have any of the following risk factors, you should be tested earlier and/or more frequently:
- member of a high-risk group (African, Arab, Asian, Hispanic Indigenous or South Asian descent, low socioeconomic status
- overweight (especially around your abdomen)
- have a parent or sibling with diabetes
- have health complications that are associated with diabetes
- have given birth to a baby that weighed more the 4 kg (9 lbs)
- had gestational diabetes during pregnancy
- prediabetes
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol or other fats in the blood
- having heart disease
- having some evidence of the complications of diabetes, such as eye, nerve or kidney problems.
Diabetes is a global epidemic, and it is one of Lions International’s eight pillars of service. The Westport Lions seek your support in reducing the prevalence of diabetes and improving the quality of life for those diagnosed by donating on Saturday, November 16. (diabetes.ca)
Westport Lions Club 