This November, Test Your Hearing in Honor of American Diabetes Month

Do you have diabetes? You may not even be aware. Of the 37 million estimated people with diabetes in the US, 1 in 5 are not even aware they have it. Even more alarming are the 88 million projected people with pre-diabetes – 80 percent who have no clue they are at risk for this pervasive disease. Diabetes can occur at any age and seems to be increasing across demographics at an alarming rate due to dietary and lifestyle choices common in the US. However, your risk of Diabetes increases after the age of 45, due to the combined effects of increasing insulin resistance and impaired pancreatic islet function with aging.

This and every November is National Diabetes Month, and we want to do what we can to help people manage diabetes as we age. Living with diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t live a vibrant lifestyle. This year, celebrate National Diabetes Month by exploring how you can limit the impact of diabetes in your life.

Monitor Your Blood Sugar Levels

The first and most important thing you can do to manage diabetes is monitor your blood sugar levels. If you haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes, use this November as an excuse to have your levels checked. It’s ideal to do this before any of the major health effects associated with diabetes take effect. By keeping track of your blood sugar, your physician will have a roadmap to design the best treatment for you, as well as gauge how your current treatment and routine is going.

Lead an Active Lifestyle

Exercise and being active is important for every aspect of your health. Often due to busy schedules of work with an infrastructure in the US which often lends itself to driving rather than walking, a sedentary life is all too common. Part of managing diabetes care and keeping blood sugar at a manageable level is scheduling time to exercise regularly. You don’t have to be a gym bunny- though that can’t hurt. All you need is at least 25 minutes, three times a week or more. This could be running, biking, dancing, or cardio. However, even a walk after dinner can make a big difference in managing glucose and keeping you safe.

A Heart Healthy Diet

A heart healthy diet is a diabetes friendly diet. This should prioritize a diet richest in vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. It can be hard if you have a sweet tooth, but you can get your sugars from fruits. Avoiding processed sugar is key to keeping blood sugar low. Due to the presence of processed sugar as a mainstay of the American diet may be one reason why diabetes and pre-diabetes are so prevalent.

Manage Your Stress

. Did you know that periods of high stress can actually cause an increase in your blood sugar? In these days, staying calm can be easier said than done. However, regular exercise and a heart healthy diet may just make the pursuit for calmer, much more accessible. Reach out to friends and family members and plan to exercise with them. Getting out and socializing more often is a great place to start your stress relief journey. Together you can try calming activities like gardening, yoga, meditating or crafting.

Test your Hearing

Did you know that having diabetes doubles your risk of hearing loss? Even in those with pre-diabetes, hearing loss risk is increased by an estimated 30 percent. Diabetes affects the blood vessels and cells throughout the body and the ears are no exception.

Hearing loss is often underestimated for its impact on health – particularly for an older demographic. In older Americans hearing loss can cause social issues which make it harder to connect to the people in your life, thrive in a working environment, stay active, and mobile. Hearing loss when untreated can increase your risk of dementia, as well as heighten your risk of falls leading to serious injuries. If you have diabetes, it’s a good idea to consider hearing screenings and treatment as part of diabetes care. This November as part of American Diabetes Month schedule a hearing exam with us and join us in the fight against hearing loss and diabetes!