The WNY Coalition for Diabetes Prevention comes together to effectively
collaborate to promote and measure healthy lifestyles within diverse
communities of Western New York for the prevention and/or management of
diabetes.
Our goal as a coalition is to promote diabetes
awareness and provide outreach materials to our
local communities. Because diabetes is the 6th
leading cause of death in the United States, the
WNY Coalition for Diabetes Prevention is reaching
high risk populations. Risk factors include family
history, genetics, chronic health conditions, high
blood pressure, age, weight, and race.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is an effect of high blood glucose levels often referred to as high blood
sugar. Your blood always contains some sugar because it is used for energy.
However, too much sugar in the blood can lead to many health problems if not
diagnosed.
Unusual high levels of blood sugar can lead to life-threatening conditions if not
properly treated. Uncontrolled diabetes could cause blurred vision or in some
cases, even blindness. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop high
blood pressure than people without diabetes and if untreated can lead to heart
disease, stroke, eye, and kidney problems. Uncontrolled diabetes can also
harm the blood vessels and nerves in the feet, creating sores that if untreated
could cause infection and possibly amputation.
There are many symptoms of diabetes folks do not always recognize including
unusual thirst, frequent urination, excessive weight loss, blurred vision,
numbness in the feet, and wounds that won't heal. If you are experiencing one
or more of these symptoms it is very important you contact your health care
provider.
collaborate to promote and measure healthy lifestyles within diverse
communities of Western New York for the prevention and/or management of
diabetes.
Our goal as a coalition is to promote diabetes
awareness and provide outreach materials to our
local communities. Because diabetes is the 6th
leading cause of death in the United States, the
WNY Coalition for Diabetes Prevention is reaching
high risk populations. Risk factors include family
history, genetics, chronic health conditions, high
blood pressure, age, weight, and race.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is an effect of high blood glucose levels often referred to as high blood
sugar. Your blood always contains some sugar because it is used for energy.
However, too much sugar in the blood can lead to many health problems if not
diagnosed.
Unusual high levels of blood sugar can lead to life-threatening conditions if not
properly treated. Uncontrolled diabetes could cause blurred vision or in some
cases, even blindness. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop high
blood pressure than people without diabetes and if untreated can lead to heart
disease, stroke, eye, and kidney problems. Uncontrolled diabetes can also
harm the blood vessels and nerves in the feet, creating sores that if untreated
could cause infection and possibly amputation.
There are many symptoms of diabetes folks do not always recognize including
unusual thirst, frequent urination, excessive weight loss, blurred vision,
numbness in the feet, and wounds that won't heal. If you are experiencing one
or more of these symptoms it is very important you contact your health care
provider.
| Risk Factors Certain people are more at risk for developing diabetes. There are two types of risk factors, controllable and uncontrollable. |
ADA ALERT!!
| ADA ALERT!! If you answer YES to any of the following questions, please call your coalition member for the American Diabetes Alert screening tool available free of charge.
|
| Controllable: Weight Physical Activity Diet High Blood Pressure |
| Uncontrollable: Age Gender Family History Race |
| Could You Have Diabetes and Not Know It? click here to see a Risk Assessment |