Skip to page content
Home — The Osborn — Options for Living
  • Independent LivingExpand Independent Living section
  • Assisted LivingExpand Assisted Living section
  • Skilled NursingExpand Skilled Nursing section
  • Memory CareExpand Memory Care section
  • RehabilitationExpand Rehabilitation section
  • Home CareExpand Home Care section
  • FoundationExpand Foundation section
  • About
  • News/Media
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Residents
  • Show Phone Menu 888-967-2676 888-9-OSBORN
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Careers
Menu
  • About
  • News/Media
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Residents
  • Show Phone Menu 888-967-2676 888-9-OSBORN
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Careers
Show Phone Menu 888-967-2676 888-9-OSBORN
Contact
Donate
Careers
Menu
Home
  • Independent Living
  • Assisted Living
  • Skilled Nursing
  • Memory Care
  • Rehabilitation
  • Home Care
  • Foundation
  • About
  • News/Media
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Residents
  • Show Phone Menu 888-967-2676 888-9-OSBORN
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Careers
Show Form
Call Us
  • Main number
    914-925-8000
  • Toll-free
    888-9-OSBORN
    or 888-967-2676
  • Independent Living
    888-392-7058
  • Assisted Living
    888-458-2403
  • Skilled Nursing / Short-Term Rehab
    888-618-1101
  • Long Term Care
    888-735-8524
  • Memory Care
    888-794-2644
  • Home Care Westchester County
    888-813-6782
  • Home Care Fairfield County
    888-594-0957
  • Miriam's Attic Shop
    914-925-8626
Independent Living
  • Overview
  • Garden Homes
  • Apartments
  • Amenities
  • WellSpring
Assisted Living
  • Overview
  • Studio, 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments
Skilled Nursing
  • Overview
  • Long-Term Care
  • Respite Care
Memory Care
  • Overview
  • H.O.P.E. Center
Rehabilitation
  • Overview
  • Short-Term Rehabilitation
  • Outpatient Rehabilitation
Home Care
  • Overview
  • 5-Star Care
  • Westchester County, NY
  • Fairfield County, CT
  • FAQ
  • Resources
Foundation
  • Overview
  • Purpose
  • Why Give?
  • Ways to Give
  • Funding Areas
  • Community Relations
  • Foundation FAQ
  • Donate to The Osborn Foundation
  • Blog / Events
About
  • Overview
  • Welcome Letter from our CEO
  • Leadership
  • Board of Trustees
  • Schedule a Tour
  • History & Mission
  • Accreditations
  • Community Map
  • FAQ
  • Virtual Tour
News/Media
  • Media Releases
  • Events
  • The Osborn Blog
  • Marketing Materials
  • Podcasts
  • Photo Galleries
  • Media Inquiries
  • TV Commercials
Residents
  • Overview
  • Free Entertainment / Streaming
  • Dining
  • Testimonials
  • Wellspring Cafe Store
  • Visitor Information
  • Overview
  • Garden Homes
  • Apartments
  • Amenities
  • WellSpring
  • Overview
  • Studio, 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments
  • Overview
  • Long-Term Care
  • Respite Care
  • Overview
  • H.O.P.E. Center
  • Overview
  • Short-Term Rehabilitation
  • Outpatient Rehabilitation
  • Overview
  • 5-Star Care
  • Westchester County, NY
  • Fairfield County, CT
  • FAQ
  • Resources
  • Overview
  • Purpose
  • Why Give?
  • Ways to Give
  • Funding Areas
  • Community Relations
  • Foundation FAQ
  • Donate to The Osborn Foundation
  • Blog / Events
Contact Us Today! Phone Directory
Page Content
Back to Blog
Previous Post Next Post

Diabetes Awareness Month

November 1, 2022
Diabetes Awareness Month

Reducing the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

~ by Carol Vartuli & Richard Sgaglio

November is Diabetes Awareness month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 37 million people in the United States have diabetes and 90-95% of them are living with type 2 diabetes which often occurs as we age and can be brought on by our lifestyle rather than just genetics. In fact, according to Harvard University, nine out of 10 cases of Type 2 diabetes are preventable.

Although most people are aware that type 2 diabetes is a serious disease, many don’t know about prediabetes. This November, the medical community is focused on raising awareness about it. According to the CDC, 88 million Americans (one of every three adults) are living with prediabetes, and only a tiny fraction of them know it.

What is prediabetes?

People with prediabetes have higher than normal blood sugar levels, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

The CDC explains the cause of prediabetes this way: “Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas that acts like a key to let blood sugar into cells for use as energy. If you have prediabetes, the cells in your body don’t respond normally to insulin. Your pancreas makes more insulin to try to get cells to respond. Eventually your pancreas can’t keep up, and your blood sugar rises, setting the stage for prediabetes—and type 2 diabetes down the road.”

Why focus on diabetes in its “pre” stage?

Prediabetes is reversible, and intervention can prevent its progression into type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, caused by the body’s inability to use insulin properly, is the most prevalent type of diabetes; it accounts for 95 percent of cases.

As we age, the chance of developing type 2 diabetes increases. It occurs mostly in people over age 45-- although its prevalence is on the rise in young adults, teens, and children.

Although type 2 diabetes can sometimes be managed with a healthy diet and exercise, it is a progressive disease. Over time, your pancreas may not produce enough insulin to keep your blood sugar at normal levels, requiring daily medication or insulin.

Diabetes is a serious disease. High blood glucose damages blood vessels and nerves that control your heart, making diabetic adults nearly twice as likely to die from heart disease or stroke than people without the disease. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause kidney failure, blindness, and amputation.

Fortunately, type 2 diabetes usually starts with warning signs.  According to The Mayo Clinic, there are symptoms you should be aware of.

How will I know I have prediabetes?

Some of the risk factors for prediabetes include:

  • Being overweight
  • Being 45 years or older
  • Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
  • Being physically active less than three times a week

Although prediabetes has no clear symptoms, you can take a simple, 60-second risk assessment from the National Diabetes Association. If you are in a moderate-to high-risk category, discuss it with your physician, who can monitor your blood glucose levels.

Can I prevent prediabetes?

YES. Changes in lifestyle and nutrition can help you lower your risk for, or even reverse prediabetes,. The CDC offers a free downloadable guide, called On Your Way to Preventing Type 2 Diabetes.

By being aware of prediabetes, or reversing it now, you can meaningfully lower your risk of type 2 diabetes.

Learn more about the benefits of walking for older adults and nutrition for healthy aging.

For online resources, please visit the following websites:

https://diabetes.org/

https://diabetesfoundationinc.org/online-resources/

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/tools-resources.html

The information in the above article is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

More Posts

  • International Women's Month

    March 15, 2023

    ~ by Carol Vartuli

    A March Challenge

    Who originated the concept of a cotton gin and helped solve the mechanical problems encountered by patent-holder Eli Whitney (1794...

  • Downsizing & Preparing to Move

    March 1, 2023

    ~ by Richard Sgaglio

    You are headed for fresh, new surroundings, where you’ll be free from the care of a house and yard. Yet, the transition can be bittersweet. You’ll need to shed belongings, and the task may seem...

  • Celebrating Valentines Day with an Aging Loved One

    February 14, 2023

    ~ by Richard Sgaglio

    Just when you think the holidays are behind us, Valentine’s Day is here! Some people think this is the most romantic day of the year. However, for others it can be a bittersweet day with mixed...

More From the Blog
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Independent Living
  • Assisted Living
  • Skilled Nursing
  • Memory Care
  • Rehabilitation
  • Home Care
  • Foundation
  • About
  • News/Media
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Residents
  • Show Phone Menu 888-967-2676 888-9-OSBORN
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Careers
US News Best Nursing Homes - Long-Term Care 2022-23 US News Best Nursing Homes - Short-Term Rehabilitation 2022-23 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 5-star Rating
The Osborn 101 Theall Rd Rye, NY 10580 914-925-8000
© 2023 The Osborn All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy
The Osborn is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
ADA
EHO
CARF-CCAC
Site by Piszko