In Virginia, more than 10% of its adult population is living with diabetes. Additionally, an estimated 56,000 adults are diagnosed with diabetes each year in Virginia. Whether you have diabetes or not, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) wants to make sure you can take the best care of yourself to stay healthy.
About Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease where sugar (glucose) levels in the bloodstream are above normal. Insulin is what helps your body use glucose for energy and regulate your blood sugar levels.
When you have diabetes, your body doesn’t:
- Make enough insulin (Type 1)
- Properly use insulin (Type 2)
Over time, excess blood sugar in your bloodstream can cause serious health problems. This can include heart disease, stroke, amputations, blindness, kidney disease and dementia.
To prevent these health problems you can:
- Eat healthy food
- Be active
- Test your blood sugar
- Take medications as prescribed
Learn more about taking care of yourself when you have diabetes.
About Prediabetes
In Virginia, more than 1 in 3 adults have Prediabetes.
Prediabetes is when blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Prediabetes can raise your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, blindness, amputations and dementia.
If you have prediabetes, you can lower your risk for developing type 2 diabetes by:
- Losing a small amount of weight if you’re overweight
- Getting regular physical activity
Learn more about prediabetes and see if you’re at risk.
Learn More About Diabetes