Diabetes
What is Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how our bodies turn food into energy. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States. In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed has doubled. There are two types: Type 1 and Type 2.
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Type 1
Is thought to be an autoimmune disease where your body stops making insulin. Type 1 is usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults. Currently, there are no preventative measures for Type 1. Only about 5% of the people who have diabetes, have Type 1.
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Type 2
Is when our bodies do not use insulin well and can not keep blood sugar levels normal. 90% of diabetic cases are this type and diagnosed in adults. This type can be Prevented and Delayed with healthy lifestyle changes.
Diabetes affects all of us as a nation. Not only in the cost of health care but to the individual as well. On average, individuals with diabetes had 4.4 years of life lost compared to people without diabetes. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) reported the total direct and indirect estimated cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States in 2012 was $245 billion. An average medical cost for the individual diagnosed was about $13,700 per year.
Risks
Prediabetes is a stage most people go through before developing diabetes entirely. This stage allows the individual to reverse the possible effects of diabetes completely through lifestyle changes. There are certain demographics that puts individuals at higher risk for developing Diabetes, specifically Type 2 Diabetes. A screening is recommended for all individuals and there are elevated risks for those that are:
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Over the age of 45
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Overweight
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Related to a direct family member with Type 2 Diabetes ( parents or siblings)
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African American, Hispanic/Latino American, Alaska Native, or American Indian
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Physically Active less than 3 times a week
Taking the right precautions now can certainly delay the onset or the worsening of Diabetes. The United States alone has currently diagnosed 23.1 million people with diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes is a preventable disease. You can make the difference!
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Symptoms
Having Type 2 Diabetes can pose many health risks. Not only is blood sugar running uncontrolled, but the high amount of sugar in the blood can damage tissue. The warning signs can be silent, but having a little extra knowledge can definitely be beneficial no matter what. Here are a few symptoms that are associated with diabetes:
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Excessive thirst and hunger
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Fatigue
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Weight Loss/ Weight Gain
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Slow healing wounds
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Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
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Increased Urination
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Blurry Vision
It is important to note that these are only some of the symptoms and everyone’s body is different.
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