Diabetes is a public health crisis reaching epidemic proportions globally.

Tuesday is Diabetes Alert Day. As such, here are just a few points important for individuals with diabetes to be aware of, to improve quality of life with diabetes.

What’s your type 2 diabetes risk and why is it important?

Did you know one in three American adults is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, a serious disease that can lead to complications like kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, blindness and amputations?

Type 2 diabetes does not have to be permanent — it can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle changes. The first step is learning your risk.

Take the simple and anonymous one minute test to determine if you are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes at www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/alert-day.

How can I tell if I have diabetes-related health problems?

You may have diabetes-related health problems if

— Your blood pressure is 130-140 over 80, or higher

— You have pain in your chest

— You have blurry or double vision, or feel pain or pressure in your eyes

— You have foot problems, such as blisters, ingrown toenails, cracked skin or signs of infection

— Your arms, hands, legs or feet feel numb, or you feel shooting pains

What can I do to stay healthy with diabetes?

Controlling your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol can make a big difference in staying healthy.

Talk with your doctor about what your ABC goals should be and how to reach them. A stands for the A1C test — a measure of what your blood glucose has been for the last three months. B is for blood pressure, and C is for cholesterol.

You can take these steps each day to reach your ABC goals:

— Follow the healthy eating plan you and your doctor or dietitian have discussed.

— Be physically active for 30 to 60 minutes most days.

— Take your medicines as directed and keep taking them, even after you have reached your goals.

— If you smoke, get help to quit. Call 1-800-QUIT NOW or 1-800-784-8669 for more information.

— Ask your doctor if you should take aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke.

— Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, sores swelling, redness or sore toenails.

Do not forget about offerings the Clark County Health Department has coming up for spring!

— Diabetes Support Group at 6 p.m. April 26. Use the lower level parking lot entrance at 400 Professional Ave.

— Healthy Living With Diabetes (HLWD), Diabetes Self-Management Education Sessions (DSMES). A series of four, two-hour sessions designed to promote healthy living with diabetes and goal setting around healthy eating, proper blood glucose control and physical activity. Classes are 5 to 7 p.m. beginning Tuesday, May 8, and run until May 29. Use the lower-level parking lot entrance, 400 Professional Ave. Registration is required, call or email Amy Williams at 744-4482 or amyw.williams@ky.gov.

Learn more about diabetes at www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov, or by calling the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse at 1–800–860–8747.

Clark County Health Department provides programs for the entire family, including Cooper Clayton, WIC, HANDS, family planning, well child care/immunizations, and home health care. For more information, call 744-4482 or visitclarkhealthdept.org.