Educational health information to improve your well-being.
Posts in Diabetes
Can you actually prevent or delay Type 2 Diabetes? Yes, you can. Here's how!
November 30, 2020
Type 2 Diabetes is a growing national health problem. Ninety percent of those diagnosed with Diabetes have Type 2 Diabetes. Locally, in the 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) for Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County, 16.5% of adults in the area reported having been diagnosed with Diabetes, compared to 10.5% in Virginia and 13.3% in the US. In Staunton and Waynesboro, the percentage is even higher than the area average: 20.2% in Staunton and 16.7% in Waynesboro. Even more concerning: The percentage of people with Diabetes reported in the local 2016 CHNA was 13.9%, so the...Continue Reading
Diabetes Myths and Facts
November 23, 2020
There is a lot of information about diabetes—many conflicting claims on the internet, advice from friends and family, and plethora of opinions from “health experts.” It's often challenging for individuals with diabetes to navigate this world of information (or misinformation), whether they are newly diagnosed, starting a new medication or simply trying to manage their blood sugar better. Today we're going to dispel a few myths to clear up the water. Myth: “If I have diabetes I can’t eat carbs.” Fact: Evidence suggests that a balance of healthy carbohydrates, protein and healthy fat can help...Continue Reading
Everything You Need to Know about Diabetes
November 20, 2020
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. It's the perfect time to review the most common types of diabetes, general statistics, and current research surrounding the growing prevalence of early onset Type 2 Diabetes. What is Diabetes? Diabetes the one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States. Did you know one in 10 individuals have diabetes in the United States? Additionally, one in five individuals does not even know they have diabetes. Normally, when you eat a meal, it is broken down into glucose (sugar). That glucose enters your blood, and this signals the pancreas to release...Continue Reading
Complications from Diabetes and COVID-19
October 26, 2020
As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the United States, more research has been published regarding devastating outcomes for diabetic patients who get the disease. As of October 26, 2020, there have been 6,710 reported cases of COVID-19 in our local Central Shenandoah Health District, which includes Waynesboro, Harrisonburg, and Staunton. Information on how many of those cases were in diabetic patients is not currently available. What is COVID-19? COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory illness caused by a new strain of coronavirus. It spreads from person-to-person through droplets of...Continue Reading
Are Cataracts Making Your Vision Cloudy?
August 20, 2020
Even when the rain is gone, can you still not see clearly? If so, you may be experiencing symptoms of cataracts. Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in the United States and are typically associated with aging; the good news is that they are treatable. The lens of the eye is normally clear. If the lens becomes cloudy, the condition is known as a cataract. Cataracts develop slowly and painlessly, and vision in the affected eye or eyes slowly gets worse. Most people develop clouding of the lens after age 60. About 50 percent of people aged 65-74 and about 70 percent of those 75 and...Continue Reading
An Overview of Gestational Diabetes
July 6, 2020
Pregnancy isn’t easy. For some, even becoming pregnant is only possible after a whirlwind of tests, treatments, and careful planning. After that, most women go through many more tests, doctor visits, and classes on the subject. The point here is that pregnancy on its own can already feel as if it is a closely monitored and manipulated task on its own—something that adds stress onto mothers and their families. So to add on yet another precaution during this period seems like making an already daunting process nearly unmanageable. But increased awareness of gestational awareness isn’t...Continue Reading
What should I know about Diabetes and COVID-19?
April 9, 2020
This is an unsettling time for many people, especially for people who have existing medical conditions such as diabetes. So if you have diabetes, whether you are concerned or not, it's good to take steps to be prepared and get some information on your increased risk for complications from COVID-19. What Can I Do to be Prepared? Everyone has their own diabetes treatment plan, but here are some general preparation guidelines based on the American Diabetes Association recommendations. You should have: Extra supplies on-hand (rubbing alcohol, hand soap, blood glucose testing strips, needles, etc...Continue Reading
Know your Diabetes Basics
January 15, 2020
Diabetes is a disease that affects the way the body turns sugar into energy. There are several types of diabetes—the most common is Type 2 Diabetes.Continue Reading
Diabetes Warnings from A to Z
August 28, 2019
Below we've listed—as alphabetically as possible—some of the warning signs, risk factors, and preventative measures that can be useful in identifying or preventing the disease. Adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have tripled over the previous 20 years - so it’s important to keep an eye out for the early warning signs that might increase your odds of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Blood pressure that is higher than normal can increase one’s chances of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, so it is recommended to monitor (and reduce) your blood pressure through regular diet and...Continue Reading
After School Activities to Keep Your Kids Fit!
August 5, 2019
School is starting back up and what better way to kick the back to school blues than with some fun after-school activities to keep your kids active! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, nearly 1 in 5 school-aged children and young people (ages 2-19) has obesity. Childhood obesity is a national epidemic, and Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and cardiovascular risks are attacking children at a young age due to their poor diet and lack of exercise. Based on an interview that Care.com conducted, Dr. Christopher Ledingham, an assistant professor in the...Continue Reading