We’re No. 5. That’s right, Alabama is ranked fifth in the nation for the number of people diagnosed with diabetes.
Approximately 434,000 Alabamians have the disease, one of the top 10 causes of death in the state. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, vision loss, kidney damage and, in some cases, loss of a limb.
The University of Alabama’s Dr. Joseph Fritz provides some simple precautions that, if followed, can prevent or delay this deadly disease.
- Keep your weight at the level recommended by your doctor.
- Exercise vigorously for 30 minutes to 40 minutes a day (longer if less strenuous exercise is chosen).
- Work with your doctor to maintain a normal blood pressure.
- Eat a healthy diet with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables. Eat “real food” as opposed to processed food.
- Have your doctor periodically check your fasting blood sugar and cholesterol.
- Stop smoking.
Fritz is an assistant professor in the department of family medicine at UA’s College of Community Health Sciences.
