Prevent and treat diabetes, a serious and growing disease in the U.S.

Some 30 million Americans had diabetes in 2015 and about 7 million of them were undiagnosed. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the nation and disproportionately strikes African Americans, Hispanics and Asians.

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to team up to bring attention to diabetes and its impact on millions of Americans and people all over the world.

On December 20, 2006 the United Nations passed a resolution to designate November 14 World Diabetes Day. The occasion aimed to raise awareness of diabetes, its prevention and complications and the care that people with Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes need.

DM, diabetes mellitus, occurs when the body cannot product enough insulin or cannot respond appropriately to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that the body needs to absorb and use glucose (sugar) as fuel for the body’s cells. Without properly functioning insulin, blood glucose levels become elevated and other metabolic abnormalities occur, leading to the development of serious disabling complications.

The three common types of DM are:

• Type 1 diabetes which result when the body loses its ability to produce insulin
• Type 2 diabetes which results from a combination of resistance to the action of insulin and insufficient insulin production
• Gestational diabetes, a common complication of pregnancy, can lead to perinatal complications in mother and child and substantially increases the likelihood of caesarian section. Gestational diabetes is also a risk factor for the mother later in life as well as the child’s subsequent development of type 2 diabetes. For those diagnosed, diabetes can affect every decision- what to eat, wear, do and other decisions about how they will take care of themselves. The management of diabetes is a 24/7 task and is often misunderstood.

How much do you know about diabetes? The following information was taken from the American Diabetes Association, The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and theCenters for Disease Control.

The correct answer is more than 9 in 10. People with diabetes most often have type 2. You are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes if you: are older, obese, don’t get much exercise and have a family history of diabetes.You are also at risk if you have pre-diabetes or had gestational diabetes.

You are also at risk if you are of a certain ethnic background. This type of diabetes was once seen just in adults. Today more children and teens are being diagnosed with it.

2. If your diabetes isn’t under control, it can harm which body part?

Diabetes can affect many parts of your body. It can lead to serious health problems. These include: Eye problems; Nerve damage; Gum disease; Heart disease; Stroke; Kidney damage; and Lower-limb amputations.

You can help prevent these problems by keeping your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels under control.

3. What does insulin do?

Insulin helps cells take in blood sugar. Insulin helps your body use or store the blood sugar it gets from food. Blood sugar is also called blood glucose.

4. What are contributing factors for getting Type 2 diabetes?

Being overweight and not getting exercise make it more likely that you will get type 2 diabetes. Losing weight and being more physically active may help you prevent it.

5. Who is more likely to get type 2 diabetes?

The American Diabetes Association says that diabetes is more likely in people who are 20 or older and are American Indians/Alaska Natives, non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanics, or Asian Americans. Non-Hispanic blacks are almost two times more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites of a like age.

6. What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?

Symptoms of diabetes include: Increased thirst and urination, Increased hunger, Fatigue, Blurred vision, Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands, Sores that do not heal and Unexplained weight loss

Other symptoms may include sexual dysfunction, needing to urinate often, and tingling or loss of feeling in the hands or feet.

But some people who have type 2 diabetes may have no symptoms. Symptoms may be mild and almost unnoticeable, or easily confused with normal signs of aging.Half of all Americans who have diabetes don’t know it.

7. Diabetes can only be managed with medicine.

False. Diabetes can sometimes be managed with a healthy diet and exercise.

8. How does exercise help people with diabetes?

Exercise makes your cells more sensitive to insulin. Your muscles use more blood sugar during exercise. This lowers your blood sugar levels. And that cuts your body’s need for insulin. Symptoms of type I diabetes can start quickly whereas typeII can be more of a slower development and more mild.

Lifestyle changes have been proven effective in preventing or delaying the onset of type II diabetes in high-risk individuals. Research demonstrates that lifestyle intervention had its greatest impact in older adults and was effective in all racial and ethnic groups.

Being overweight or poor eating habits aren’t the only things that can lead to diabetes. How you manage (or don’t manage) your stress weighs in and so does getting proper sleep, smoking, the amount of alcohol one intakes and genetics.

Diabetes is a serious chronic disease.We can use National Diabetes Month this month to raise awareness about diabetes risk factors, encourage people to make healthy changes and donate to support research to find a cure.