| Every year on November 14, the International | | | | - increased age |
| Diabetes Federation celebrates World Diabetes Day. | | | | - high blood pressure |
| In 2007, this day became an official United Nations | | | | - elevated cholesterol levels |
| Day with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61 | | | | - a family history of diabetes |
| 225. The goal of the campaign is to draw attention | | | | - diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) |
| to diabetes and how important it is for the average | | | | - ethnic background including Asian, Hispanic, |
| person to have a reasonable knowledge of both | | | | Indigenous people (Australia, US and Canada) and |
| type 1 and type 2 diabetes. During the next five | | | | African American |
| years, the event coordinators plan on emphasizing | | | | Do you know the warning signs of diabetes? |
| diabetes education as well as prevention programs. | | | | They include: |
| The International Diabetes Federation is composed of | | | | - frequent urination including during the night time |
| 212 member associations in more than 160 countries | | | | - dry mouth and excessive thirst |
| and territories. All of them are member states of the | | | | - eating more food but losing weight (type 1 |
| United Nations. November 14 is observed because it | | | | diabetes) |
| honors the birthday of Frederick Banting who is | | | | - feeling hungry soon after eating and weight gain |
| known as one of the discoverers of insulin. He | | | | (type 2 diabetes) |
| actually thought up the original idea which led to the | | | | - fatigue and weakness |
| discovery of insulin way back in 1922. | | | | - blurred vision |
| Experts have estimated the number of people with | | | | - frequent infections |
| diabetes world-wide has reached around 285 million | | | | - slow-healing wounds |
| and because diabetics need to deliver 95% of their | | | | - tingling sensation in your hands and feet |
| own care, learning how to stabilize their insulin and | | | | - fuzzy head and lack of ability to concentrate |
| blood sugar levels, ongoing education is necessary. | | | | Do you or someone you love have any of these |
| The International Diabetes Federation estimates that | | | | warning signs of type 1 or type 2 diabetes? If so, do |
| over 344 million people throughout the world are at | | | | not hesitate to make an appointment to see your |
| risk for type 2 diabetes. | | | | healthy care provider so a diagnosis can be made and |
| The risks for developing type 2 diabetes include: | | | | treatment started. Type 2 diabetes is a condition of |
| - obesity and carrying excess abdominal weight | | | | lifestyle... following a healthy eating plan and increasing |
| - insufficient exercise | | | | physical activity to thirty minutes a day at least five |
| - unhealthy eating habits | | | | times a week will help to lower blood sugar levels. |