Diabetes is one of the most prominent life-threatening health conditions plaguing the country. As of 2015, almost 35 million Americans already have the disease.
Experts predict that one in three Americans will develop diabetes in the next ten years if the increasing rate continues.
Despite being widely known, not many individuals have a firm grasp of what diabetes actually is. Everyone knows it has something to do with eating too much food containing sugar, but only a few know its real cause, symptoms, types, and most importantly, its prevention.
This National Diabetes Awareness Month, team up with the whole world to build awareness, spread knowledge, and advocate early diagnosis and treatment. To start, here’s everything you need to know about diabetes.
Diabetes or diabetes mellitus (in medical term) refers to a chronic condition characterized by a higher than average sugar (glucose) level in the blood.
Typically, when a person’s blood sugar level increases, the pancreas automatically releases a hormone called insulin. This hormone is responsible for storing extra sugar in the cells or utilizing it in the form of energy, causing your blood sugar to go back to its normal level.
But with diabetes, there are two possible reasons why your blood sugar levels are through the roof: your pancreas can’t make enough insulin, or your body can’t effectively use the insulin.
According to the CDC, the three main types of diabetes include:
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can have similar and overlapping symptoms. They only differ at the onset of its development–type 1 starts at childhood while type 2 usually develops in the later stages of life.
To increase diabetes awareness, here are the most commonly manifested signs and symptoms of diabetes:
Gestational diabetes develops at the 24th to 28th weeks of pregnancy and shows no signs and symptoms. It is essential to get tested for this specific condition so your doctor can plan preventive actions immediately.
The two major types of diabetes may have different causes, but you can reduce your risk of developing type 2 DM or triggering the onset of type 1 DM by leading a healthy lifestyle. This includes:
Unfortunately, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be passed on to your genes. However, this does not mean that there’s no way to prevent it from developing.
Knowing that you have a high predisposition to the disease means that you should stick to these healthy activities as early as possible. This way, you can prevent triggering its onset or delay its progression.
Diabetes is one of the most prominent life-threatening health conditions plaguing the country. As of 2015, almost 35 million Americans already have the disease.
Experts predict that one in three Americans will develop diabetes in the next ten years if the increasing rate continues.
Despite being widely known, not many individuals have a firm grasp of what diabetes actually is. Everyone knows it has something to do with eating too much food containing sugar, but only a few know its real cause, symptoms, types, and most importantly, its prevention.
This National Diabetes Awareness Month, team up with the whole world to build awareness, spread knowledge, and advocate early diagnosis and treatment. To start, here’s everything you need to know about diabetes.
Diabetes or diabetes mellitus (in medical term) refers to a chronic condition characterized by a higher than average sugar (glucose) level in the blood.
Typically, when a person’s blood sugar level increases, the pancreas automatically releases a hormone called insulin. This hormone is responsible for storing extra sugar in the cells or utilizing it in the form of energy, causing your blood sugar to go back to its normal level.
But with diabetes, there are two possible reasons why your blood sugar levels are through the roof: your pancreas can’t make enough insulin, or your body can’t effectively use the insulin.
According to the CDC, the three main types of diabetes include:
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can have similar and overlapping symptoms. They only differ at the onset of its development–type 1 starts at childhood while type 2 usually develops in the later stages of life.
To increase diabetes awareness, here are the most commonly manifested signs and symptoms of diabetes:
Gestational diabetes develops at the 24th to 28th weeks of pregnancy and shows no signs and symptoms. It is essential to get tested for this specific condition so your doctor can plan preventive actions immediately.
The two major types of diabetes may have different causes, but you can reduce your risk of developing type 2 DM or triggering the onset of type 1 DM by leading a healthy lifestyle. This includes:
Unfortunately, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be passed on to your genes. However, this does not mean that there’s no way to prevent it from developing.
Knowing that you have a high predisposition to the disease means that you should stick to these healthy activities as early as possible. This way, you can prevent triggering its onset or delay its progression.