Today is World Health Day and the focus is on Diabetes.

Diabetes is a life-long disease characterized by elevated levels of sugar in the blood. In Nigeria, where diabetes was once a rarity, it now affects over 1 million people and this number is rising at an alarming rate.
Why the focus on diabetes?
• Worldwide, the number of people with diabetes has quadrupled since 1980
• Eating habits and physical inactivity are two main reasons behind this rise
• In Africa, 80% of diabetes cases are undiagnosed and therefore untreated and uncontrolled
• Uncontrolled diabetes can be devastating. It is a leading cause of heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and amputation.
The good news is that, it can be prevented. Here are 5 ways to reduce your risk of Diabetes:

Controlling your weight: [/b]Excess weight is the main cause of diabetes. People who are overweight or have obesity have added pressure on their body's ability to use insulin to properly control blood sugar levels. Being obese makes you 20 to 40 times more likely to develop diabetes than someone with a healthy weight. Regular early morning jogging and fitness trainings could help maintain a healthy weight.

[b]Be active: Working your muscles more often and making them work harder improves their ability to use insulin and absorb glucose. Findings from the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study suggest that walking briskly for a half hour every day reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 30%.

Avoid Tobacco: Smokers are roughly 50 percent more likely to develop diabetes than nonsmokers, and heavy smokers have an even higher risk. Avoid it if you can.

Diet: If you are used to taking lots of carbohydrates, now is the best time to reduce that and concentrate on fruits and vegetables. These help in maintaining your ideal weight and also reduce or risk of diabetes.
Regular Check-ups: Always visit a doctor for regular check-ups to detect early symptoms of diseases that could trigger diabetes.

About Avon HMO
Avon Healthcare Limited (Avon HMO) provides healthcare services to individuals, families, groups, companies and the government. We offer a comprehensive line of products and services that cater to the unique needs of all our members, through a robust network of hospitals and clinics spread across the 36 states and major local government areas in Nigeria.
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