Photo-A-Day #1446

This is a face of Diabetes. You really wouldn’t know it from looking at me that I have the disease. The sad fact is that I didn’t even know I was at risk for the disease until it had settled insidiously into my life. That is the problem with a silent killer like Diabetes, you can’t tell by looking at someone to know if they are at risk.

Today is Diabetes Alert Day, it is the 21st Annual year of Diabetes Alert Day and yet, I’ve only just heard of it. The American Diabetes Association sponsors this day of education and testing. I am blogging about it because I don’t want you to be ignorant of what Diabetes can do to you. I encourage all of my readers to please take the Risk Assessment and see if you are at risk for developing Diabetes. Because if you are you can do many things to prevent the disease. Once you have it though the task is much harder.

I didn’t know I had diabetes for a long time. I didn’t have many of the usual symptoms. I didn’t have the frequent urination or thirst all the time. I did however have some major foot pain which was attributed to possible Plantar Fasciitis. Well, it wasn’t that, it was neuropathy. And believe me you’d much rather have the foot pain of Plantar Fasciitis then the slow death of your nerves in your legs and feet.

There is hope. There are many efforts being put forth to raise money and awareness about diabetes. There are many books and services available as resources as well. I’ve been reading Conquering Diabetes by Anne Peters, M.D., this book has a lot of great information on diabetes prevention and treatment.

There is no ifs, ands or buts about it, diabetes needs to be countered with becoming a more fit person. Being more active and better about what you put into your body are keys to maintaining the disease. So the other book I’d recommend is The World’s Fittest You by Joe Decker. It is an inspiring book that may help you take charge of your physical fitness.