Diabetes education and prevention is the
World Diabetes Day theme for the period 2009-2013:
- For people with diabetes, this is a message about empowerment through education.
- For governments, it is a call to implement effective strategies and policies for the prevention and management of diabetes to safeguard the health of their citizens with and at risk of diabetes.
- For healthcare professionals, it is a call to improve knowledge so that evidence-based recommendations are put into practice.
- For the general public, it is a call to understand the serious impact of diabetes and know, where possible, how to avoid or delay diabetes and its complications.
This is a great time to review the warning signs of diabetes:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Increased hunger
- Weight loss
- Tiredness
- Lack of interest and concentration
- Vomiting and stomach pain (often mistaken as the flu)
- A tingling sensation or numbness in the hands or feet
- Blurred vision
- Frequent infections
- Slow-healing wounds
Any of these signs should be discussed with your health care provider.
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