HEALTHIER YOU: Women and Diabetes

BY DR. ANNETTE MAYES, OB/GYN

In November, our minds turn to our traditional menus for a Thanksgiving feast. We give thanks for all the blessings bestowed upon us. As women, we might be undecided about whether to serve the grand meal with recipes that remind you of grandma’s cooking or those recipes that will be better for your family’s health.

It is always important to think about your food intake because of diseases such as diabetes. Women with diabetes have more to manage. It is crucial that you stay on track by checking your blood sugar often, eating healthy meals with more fruit and vegetables, and staying active so you can be your healthiest self.

Diabetes can be different for women: it increases the risk of heart disease — the most common diabetes complication — by about four times in women but only about two times in men. Women have worse outcomes after a heart attack. Women are also at higher risk of other diabetes-related complications such as blindness, kidney disease, and depression.

Not only is diabetes different for women, it’s different among women of color — African American, Hispanic/Latina, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Asian/Pacific Islander women are more likely to have diabetes than white women.

This Thanksgiving, give thanks by taking care of the good health God gave you and your family. Remember: eat to live.

For more information, call Las Vegas All Women’s Care at (702) 522-9640. Or visit us at 700 Shadow Lane #165 in Las Vegas.