November is American Diabetes Month

Approximately 10 percent of Americans are affected by diabetes, and millions more are at risk for developing the disease. November is American Diabetes Month, and a great time to find out whether you are at risk, and if so, what you can do about it.

All About Insulin:

Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar (glucose) during metabolism. Diabetes occurs when the body overproduces insulin, does not use insulin effectively, or when the pancreas does not produce insulin at all. As a result, the bodys glucose levels go up, causing damage to tissues and organs. If left untreated, this can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, blindness and kidney failure.

Type One Diabetes:

Also known as "insulin dependent" diabetes, type one diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood or early adolescence, and is the less common form of the disease. People with type one diabetes do not produce insulin, so they must take insulin on a daily basis in order to process food. Many people with type one diabetes use an insulin pump to manage their blood sugar 24 hours a day.

Type Two Diabetes:

When your body produces insulin but doesnt use it effectively, this is called type two diabetes. Type two diabetes accounts for approximately 90 percent of all cases, and is most commonly diagnosed in adulthood. Type two diabetes is treated through proper exercise and diet, and sometimes medication and insulin therapy.

Prediabetes:

If your blood sugar levels are high, but not enough to warrant a diagnosis of diabetes, you may have prediabetes. Without treatment, those with prediabetes will likely develop diabetes in the long run. The good news is that by making lifestyle changes, it is possible for those with prediabetes to manage their blood sugar and avoid developing type two diabetes altogether.

Gestational Diabetes:

During pregnancy, generally around week 24, some women develop abnormally high blood sugar levels, and this is called gestational diabetes. As with prediabetes, changes to your diet and exercise routine will help you to manage your blood sugar and keep you and your baby healthy. Women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy are at greater risk for type two diabetes, and should have their blood sugar tested regularly.

Symptoms:

High blood sugar may cause symptoms such as extreme thirst, frequent urination, nausea, confusion, dizziness or fatigue. These symptoms are generally more obvious in those with type one diabetes. For those with type two diabetes, symptoms usually develop slowly over several years, and may be hardly noticeable or even non-existent.

Are you at risk?:

People who are overweight, eat an unhealthy diet and do not exercise; smokers, and those with a family history of diabetes have a higher risk of developing the disease. But its a myth that only people who are overweight develop type two diabetes; genetic factors may also predispose you to the condition. The best way to stay healthy is to always get regular checkups in order to catch abnormal blood sugar levels as early as possible. If your doctor suspects diabetes, further testing will confirm the diagnosis and indicate a plan for treatment.

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