November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

As we prepare to gather with our friends and family in celebration of Thanksgiving, we must take time to educate ourselves on a disease that affects many young and old, Diabetes. This month is National Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the body’s inability to produce enough insulin causes high level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. High levels of glucose in the blood can cause damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart. 

Nearly 30 million children and adults in the US have diabetes, while 86 million have pre-diabetes and are

at risk for Type 2 Diabetes. There are two forms of Diabetes Type 1 the severe form which people have to be insulin dependent. Type 2 is the common form and non-insulin dependent; it is often tied to people who are overweight.

Diabetes Facts

• Diabetes is a long-term condition that causes high blood sugar levels.
• In 2013 it was estimated that over 382 million people throughout the world had diabetes (Williams textbook of endocrinology).
• Type 1 Diabetes - the body does not produce insulin. Approximately 10% of all diabetes cases are type 1.
• Type 2 Diabetes - the body does not produce enough insulin for proper function. Approximately 90% of all cases of diabetes worldwide are of this type.
• Gestational Diabetes - this type affects females during pregnancy.
• The most common diabetes symptoms include frequent urination, intense thirst and hunger, weight gain, unusual weight loss, fatigue, cuts and bruises that do not heal, male sexual dysfunction, numbness and tingling in hands and feet.
• If you have Type 1 and follow a healthy eating plan, do adequate exercise, and take insulin, you can lead a normal life.
• Type 2 patients need to eat healthily, be physically active, and test their blood glucose. They may also need to take oral medication, and/or insulin to control blood glucose levels.
• As the risk of cardiovascular disease is much higher for a diabetic, it is crucial that blood pressure and cholesterol levels are monitored regularly.
• As smoking might have a serious effect on cardiovascular health, diabetics should stop smoking.
• Hypoglycemia - low blood glucose - can have a bad effect on the patient. Hyperglycemia - when blood glucose is too high - can also have a bad effect on the patient.

Facts provided by http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/diabetes/

To find more information on Diabetes and how you can support the cause for awareness, connect with the closest American Diabetes Association office to you. For Rhode Island residents this is the New England office located at 10 Speen Street 2nd Floor Framingham, Massachusetts, 01701. 

Diabetes Links:

http://www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/american-diabetes-month.html

http://ndep.nih.gov/index.aspx

http://www.cdc.gov/features/livingwithdiabetes/

http://www.diabetesresearch.org/what-is-diabetes