November is Diabetes Awareness Month and Nov. 3-9 is Diabetes Education Week. The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department wants everyone to know the symptoms of diabetes, the difference between type 1 and type 2, and what you can do to help protect your health.
“Diabetes happens when your body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it as it should,” said Malcolm Lanham, Community Health Director. “When there isn’t enough insulin or your body stops responding to the insulin, too much blood sugar stays in your blood and over time can cause serious health issues like heart disease, kidney disease and vision loss.”
There are two types of diabetics, Type 1 and Type 2. With Type 1, the person’s body doesn’t have insulin and is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction. Type 1 diabetics must take insulin every day. In Type 2 diabetics, their body doesn’t use insulin well and can’t control the body’s blood sugar level properly.
The CDC reports that about 38 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, about 1 in every 10 people, and 1 in 5 do not know they have it.
Symptoms for diabetes include severe thirst, frequent urination, blurry vision, being tired and weak, having slow healing wounds and unexpected weight changes.
Risk factors for having diabetes include having a family history of it, over the age of 45, being overweight, if you have had diabetes when pregnant, and have high blood pressure. Lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising and losing weight can help. Checking blood sugar levels is important to make sure they are staying in the correct range.
For more information, visit the cdc.gov/diabetes.