This November, we’re joining the American Diabetes Association to showcase real-life stories of friends, families and neighbors managing the day-to-day triumphs and challenges of diabetes. Join us as we salute the 29 million Americans with diabetes — as well as their loved ones — to raise awareness and to create a sense of urgency about this growing public health crisis.

What is Diabetes?
There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant). With type 1 diabetes, your body can’t make insulin, so you need to take insulin every day. Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2 diabetes; about 5% of the people who have diabetes have type 1. Currently, no one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes.More than 29 million people in the United States have diabetes, but 1 out of 4 don’t know they have it. Most people with diabetes—9 out of 10—have type 2 diabetes. With type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t use insulin well and is unable to keep blood sugar at normal levels.  If you have any of these risk factors, ask your doctor if you should be tested for diabetes. The sooner you find out, the sooner you can start making healthy changes that will benefit you now and in the future.

Get on a Wellness Schedule

• Every day: stay active, eat a healthy diet, and take medication; check feet for redness, swelling, pain, or sores.
• Each health care visit (at least 4 times a year): blood pressure check; foot check.
• Twice a year: A1C test; dental checkup.
• Once a year: cholesterol test; kidney function test; podiatrist (foot doctor) and eye doctor visits; flu shot (and other vaccines as recommended by your Provider).

Living with diabetes is challenging, but it’s important to remember that making healthy choices can have a big effect on the course of the disease—and your quality of life.

Ready to learn more? Click here to take our Diabetes Quiz to find out how well you know your diabetes facts!