The American Diabetes Association is distributing diabetes risk tests and conducting free blood glucose screenings as part of its American Diabetes Alert campaign.

The alert, conducted each spring, is a nationwide public awareness effort to reach 5.4 million people with undiagnosed diabetes.

“Diabetes is a serious disease that affects the way food is used by the body,” explained Fayette Community Hospital's Dianna Noren. “If left untreated, it can slowly destroy the blood vessels and nerves with no warning.”

According to the American Diabetes Association, as many as 75 percent of people with diabetes have no symptoms. If diabetes is diagnosed early and is properly treated, people can continue to live well. The goal of the American Diabetes Association is to spread the word about diabetes risk factors to as many people as possible in Fayette County.

You can reduce your risk for getting diabetes by making some life-style changes. Several studies show diabetes is strongly linked to family history, increasing age, lack of exercise and being overweight. Although you cannot change your age or family, you can make sure you exercise regularly, eat a diet low in fat and high in fruits and vegetables, and keep your weight under control.

The American Diabetes Association, the nation's leading voluntary health organization concerned with diabetes and its complications, does not want you to be blinded by diabetes. Take a few minutes and phone the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES to receive free information and be referred to a free screening site near you.

There will be a screening at the Fayette County Health department Thursday, March 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. Phone 770-461-1178 to schedule a screening.

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