November is American Diabetes Month, a time to communicate the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of diabetes prevention and control. For years, the American Diabetes Association has used this month as an opportunity to raise awareness of the disease and its serious complications.

 

About 17 million people in the U.S. have diabetes. The majority have been diagnosed, however, many are unaware they have diabetes.  Diabetes is a disease where the body does not produce or respond to insulin—a hormone that converts sugar, starches and other foods into energy the body requires.

 

There are three types of diabetes: Types 1 and 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body fails to produce any insulin. Approximately 10 percent of diabetics have this form that always requires injected insulin. Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance and insulin deficiency, affecting about 90 percent of diabetics in the U.S. The third type is gestational diabetes, diabetes during pregnancy.

 

The cause for diabetes is unknown, although unhealthy lifestyles (lack of exercise, obesity, poor eating habits) have been proven to contribute to its onset.

 

The Michigan Podiatric Medical Association (MPMA), Oakland Regional Hospital and The American Diabetes Association have joined to host a FREE health expo to educate the public on the signs, causes, treatments and general information on diabetes.

 

Presentations:

9:30               Caring For Your Feet as a Diabetic, Dr. Jodie Sengstock

10:00             Numbness & Symptoms of Diabetes, Dr. Jeffrey Frederick & Dr. Lee Hoffman

10:30             Diabetes and Your Arms & Hands, Oakland Regional Hand Expert

11:00             Diabetes and Your Health, Internal Medicine Expert

11:30             Managing Your Diabetes Through a Healthy Diet, Beth Webb, RD

 

FREE Screenings:  Blood Pressure, Sugar, Neuropathy

Experts, Exhibitors, Gifts, Refreshments, Food Sampling