This Month is National Diabetes Awareness Month

The American Diabetes Association, along with other organizations help to raise awareness of a serious disease that affects millions of Americans. November is the month that has been chosen to sound the alarm for the millions of Americans who are at risk of getting diabetes. Medical professionals recognize it is important for people to be educated about the disease and to be aware of the risks. In addition, World Diabetes Day, which was first created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Foundation and the World Health Organization, is observed each year on November 14.

Experts say that knowing the symptoms of type 1 diabetes can be life-saving and lead to getting the care you need. For individuals with risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, having an awareness of the disease, may help to prevent or delay the progression.

While sometimes known as juvenile diabetes, type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition without a cure that occurs when a person’s pancreas produces little or no insulin. The disease usually appears during childhood or in adolescence but sometimes adults get it. Treatment for the disease includes insulin as well as diet and lifestyle changes.

Type 2 diabetes used to mainly affect adults but in the last several years more children are afflicted with the disease due to the rise in childhood obesity according to the Mayo Clinic. They explain that type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way the body metabolizes sugar (glucose) — an important source of fuel for the body. Moreover, while there is also no cure for the disease, the Mayo Clinic recommends people alter their lifestyle by losing weight, exercising and eating well in order to better manage the disease.

Symptoms for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes have many similarities including the need to urinate frequently along with feeling very thirsty and drinking a lot, very hungry, and fatigued. The person may additionally complain of blurry vision or have slow-healing sores. Doctors say if you or a loved one has experienced any of these symptoms, you should see your healthcare provider.

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