Diabetes:
What is Diabetes?
- Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce insulin, or the body does not use insulin properly.
- Insulin is a hormone in the body that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other foods into energy for your body.
- Insulin moves sugar from your bloodstream into your cells. A person with Diabetes has too much sugar in their bloodstream because there is no insulin to move the sugar out. This can lead to serious problems overtime.
- The cause of diabetes is unknown, but family history, obesity and lack of exercise are three possible contributing factors.
- There are 3 types of diabetes:
– Type 1- Type I diabetes often affects children. There is no cure for this type of diabetes because it is something you are born with. This type of diabetes is not preventable and people who have the disease must take shots of insulin daily.
– Type II- Type II diabetes often affects the elderly and overweight adults. Type II diabetes is preventable and can often be controlled by healthy eating and exercise. Although it is often overweight adults who get type II diabetes, overweight children can also get the disease.
– Gestational Diabetes (during pregnancy)
Why is Diabetes Dangerous?
- Diabetes is dangerous because too much sugar in your bloodstream overtime can damage or destroy your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart. Having Diabetes can put you at greater risk for other health problems such as heart attack, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Some people even have to have a foot or leg amputated (cut off) because of their diabetes. If you do not take care of your body, you can die from diabetes! Diabetes is very serious!
- If you have diabetes, it is very important to take care of your body!
- Get your eyes checked every year
- Go to the dentist every 6 months
- Have your feet and skin checked every time you go to the doctor.
- Have your heart checked
- Know your cholesterol numbers
- Know your blood pressure
- Quit smoking!
- Eat healthy
- Stay active and get plenty of exercise!!
How Do I Know if I Have Diabetes?
- Some of the symptoms of Diabetes are:
– Frequent urination
– Excessive thirst
– Extreme hunger
– Unusual weight loss
– Increased fatigue
– Irritability
– Blurry vision
– A cut that will not heal
– An infection that will not go away
How Do I Prevent Type II Diabetes?
- Unlike Type I diabetes, Type II diabetes is preventable! It is your responsibility to take care of your health. If you eat unhealthy food, do not exercise and are overweight, you are at a greater risk of getting diabetes. In order to live a long healthy life and to prevent type II diabetes you should
– Eat a well balanced, healthy diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains etc.)
– Talk to your doctor about how much you should exercise
– Most people should exercise 3-5 times a week for at least 30 minutes
– Keep your weight under control, do not become overweight or obese
– Help your children prevent type II diabetes by teaching them about good nutrition and exercise
American Diabetes Association: http://www.diabetes.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://cdc.gov/diabetes
MedlinePlus: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diabetes.html
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov
