American Diabetes Association: November is American Diabetes Month!

American Diabetes Month - American Diabetes Association: "Did you know that diabetes and heart disease are linked? People with diabetes are at high risk for a heart attack or a stroke. Their heart attacks tend to be more serious and can happen early in life. In fact, two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. Both women and men are at risk.

Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke."



If you have diabetes, your doctor or health care team may have told you about the importance of inspecting your feet every day. This is because diabetes can damage the nerves in your feet, making it hard for you to feel wounds. If a wound is left untreated, it can become infected and develop into an ulcer. Foot ulcers can put you at risk for amputation.

Even if you know a wound is there and you're treating it, it's important to inspect it every day because diabetes can interfere with healing. For a long time, scientists thought this was because diabetes caused obstructions or blockages in the small blood vessels of your feet. If the blood vessels are blocked, oxygen-rich blood can't get to the wound to help it heal. (more)