Did you know every 19 seconds, someone is diagnosed with
diabetes. In fact, diabetes causes more deaths a year than breast cancer and
AIDS combined? This proposes many questions. Are you at risk for diabetes? Do
you know what symptoms to look for? What actually causes diabetes?
First, are you at risk for diabetes? To find out, click here
and take the Diabetes Risk Test. This test will ask you to enter some basic
health information. The test will calculate if you’re at risk for Type 2 diabetes.
Remember: Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by staying at a healthy
weight, eating well, and being active.
Second, what are the symptoms of diabetes? Some common symptoms
of diabetes are frequent urination, feeling very thirsty, feeling very hungry (even
though you are eating), extreme fatigue,
blurry vision, slow healing of cuts/bruises, weight loss even though you are eating more
(This pertains to Type 1), and tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet
(This pertains to Type 2). All of the symptoms mentioned above are very
typical. However, there are also symptoms that are so mild they go unnoticed. This
usually happens if someone has Type 2 because symptoms develop gradually.
Lastly, what causes diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is caused by a
lack of insulin due to the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the
pancreas. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body’s immune
system is attacking and destroying the beta cells. Type 1 diabetes usually
occurs in children and young adults; however it can appear at any age. At one point, Type 1 diabetes was called
juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Type 2 diabetes, which is the most common type, is caused by
many factors. One is insulin resistance, which is a condition where the body’s
muscle, fat, and liver cells do not used the insulin effectively. Type 2 develops
when the body can no longer produce enough insulin to compensate for the
impaired ability to use insulin. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in middle-aged
and older people who are also overweight or obese. Type 2 used to be rare in
youth, but is becoming more common in overweight and obese children and adolescents.
Early detection and treatment can decrease the risk of complications.
Help raise awareness, get tested, and stay healthy because Together We Can Stop
Diabetes!
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| Source: Google Images |
Early detection and treatment seems to be the best course of action when it comes to taking care of diabetes! These are some great tips to help everyone stay aware.
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ReplyDeleteMelissa, early detection is very important! Type 2 Diabetes can be preventable with a healthy diet and exercise!
ReplyDeleteYou have really provided some great information. I especially like that you have shared the tool Diabetes Risk Test, symptoms and causes. I think educating people can make a huge impact in working towards preventing Type 2. My little cousin found out she had type one when she was about ten years old and I have watched her struggle with the disease for years now. Here's to working together to stop the disease! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSarah, thanks for responding! I feel that it is very important to educate people on diabetes. A lot of times people don't work toward preventing the disease until it is too late. I'm so sorry to hear about your little cousin, hopefully one day there will be a cure!
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed hypoglycemic 4 years ago, and I know how important it is to maintain my glucose level within a healthy range because it could turn into diabetes. It can be difficult at times, but I'd rather not have to deal with the stress of managing diabetes.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting read. I have not personally known anyone with diabetes so I was very unfamiliar with any facts about the disease. The diabetes warning signs you have provided are very helpful for myself and others.
ReplyDeleteGreat, valuable information! Thanks for sharing. I never researched diabetes. Therefore, I did not know the statistics, symptoms, and warnings. Very interesting!
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