Don't ignore the risks of diabetes | News, Sports, Jobs

Advocates seize the opportunity to inform people in new and creative ways, and each month brings new awareness.

Although it may be difficult to track, this tactic is a good one. For example, if we see an increase in people taking various cancer screenings from October onwards, the effort will be well worth it.

Diabetes Awareness Month in November is also important, especially for Ohio Valley residents. According to the American Diabetes Association, about 16% of West Virginians have diabetes and about 12.6% of Ohioans have diabetes.

But these are just patients who are aware of their condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 38 million people in the United States have diabetes, but one in five people do not know they have diabetes.

There are two different types of diabetes. In type 1, a person's body does not produce insulin, likely due to an autoimmune response. Type 2 is when the body does not use insulin well and cannot properly control blood sugar levels.

Understanding symptoms and risk factors is essential, as is getting tested. For more information, visit: www.cdc.gov/diabetes/

Lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, exercise, and weight loss can make a difference, but there is no substitute for consulting with your doctor and creating a plan. Start the conversation about prevention plans, symptom and risk assessment, screening, and planning for living with diabetes.