~~The most common form of diabetes is Type 2 diabetes – when your body does not use insulin (a hormone produced in the pancreas by the islets of Langerhans that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood) properly. So your body is essentially insulin resistant.
The reason your body needs insulin, is that it allows your blood sugar to get into your cells and provide them with energy: your body’s source for everything it does from thinking to exercising.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 26 million children and adults in the U.S., or over 8% of the population, have diabetes today – yet millions are unaware.
So what can cause insulin problems resulting in diabetes?
The exact cause is largely unknown, however there are several factors that come into play such as genetics and diet/lifestyle.
We also know that the risk of getting diabetes gets higher as you age, so elderly people are particularly susceptible.
There is also data to suggest that certain ethnicities are at a higher risk, including American Indians, African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
While there’s currently no cure for Type 2 diabetes, it is extremely treatable, and there are more and more resources available every day.
If you think that you might have diabetes, the best thing you can do is to get tested immediately – so that if you DO have it, you can begin to take the necessary steps to prevent it from getting worse, and to keep your blood sugar levels where they need to be.
With the right diabetes diet, regular exercise, and sometimes medications, you can manage type 2 diabetes and go about your life just as you would otherwise.
Some common signs and symptoms of diabetes:
● Increased thirst
● Increased hunger (especially after eating)
● Dry mouth
● Frequent urination or urine infections
● Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry)
● Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
● Blurred vision
● Headaches
If you’re not currently at risk for diabetes but want to minimize your chances of getting it in the future, there are some steps you can take now to become healthier and more resistant:
● Maintain a healthy, controlled weight
● Exercise
● Avoid processed foods
● Eat more whole grains
● Avoid sugary drinks
● Limit red meat
● Quit smoking