“November is National Diabetes Month, an effort to help raise awareness on the impact of a disease that affects millions of Americans and thousands right here in Ocean County,” announced Freeholder Director and Board of Health Liaison Gerry P. Little. “Although diabetes is not a curable disease, detection and treatment often result in those affected being able to live long and healthy lives,” according to Daniel E. Regenye, Ocean County Health Department Public Health Coordinator. “This year’s National Diabetes Month is focused on promoting health after gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. Mothers who’ve had gestational diabetes need to be aware that they and their children have an increased lifelong risk for developing type 2 diabetes, according to Regenye, although most of the time gestational diabetes goes away after the baby is born. However, continued Regenye, “even if the diabetes goes away, there is a greater chance of getting diabetes as children from that pregnancy are at future risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes and half of all women who had gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes, concluded Regenye. Health advocates recommend testing within 4 months of the birth and every 3 years thereafter for women with gestational diabetes.
One out of four Americans with diabetes are not aware of it, which equates to about 7 million Americans living with a disease for which treatment is available. “Type 2 diabetes, more common among adults, is also known as insulin resistance, and age, weight and family history all may have a role in the development of this disease. Prediabetes, also known as impaired glucose tolerance, can be detected with a simple blood test prior to developing into full type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle changes can help with both prevention and treatment and all residents are encouraged to seek medical advice if such symptoms as hunger and fatigue, frequent urination, dry mouth and itchy skin and blurred vision are common.
Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little reminds Ocean County residents to take advantage of diabetes awareness month to insure the health of themselves and their families, noting that “healthier living promotes a better quality of life for all to enjoy.”
Brian E. Rumpf, Director of Administration and Program Development, offers that more information on diabetes, its symptoms and treatments can be found at the Ocean County Health Department’s website at www.ochd.org. Also, please check out our new website at www.phu2.org, to access and learn more about our Public Health is You Too! campaign to help equip you to take simple steps to improve your health.