November is National Diabetes Awareness month and millions of Americans are affected by this disease everyday. Whether it is your mother, toddler or next door neighbor, diabetes can happen at any age. Spreading knowledge and awareness about the effects of the disease can aid in the prevention of it in your family or friends. For more information, visit the UAB EatRight website.
Diabetes is the inability of the body to produce or metabolize the human hormone insulin to process the glucose or sugar in the blood properly. Insulin is the hormone required to convert sugar, starched and other foods needed for energy. The following are the three types of diabetes and some common symptoms of the disease.
- Type I: With this type of diabetes, insulin is not produced at all. Only about 5 to 10% of people have this type and it is more commonly found in children and young adults.
- Type II: This type of diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. The body either does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific/ Islander Americans and older aged Americans are at the groups at the highest risk for this type of diabetes.
- Gestational: This type of diabetes occurs in pregnant women only and is noticeable around week 28 or later. Many women are diagnosed with this type yet it doesn’t mean they had diabetes before their pregnancy nor does it mean they will have it after the child is born. Women planning a pregnancy or who are pregnant must always regularly consult a physician to help prevent gestational diabetes.
Common Symptoms:
- Constant urination
- Abnormal thirst
- Severe fatigue or irritation.
- Blurred vision
- Severe hunger
For more information, please visit diabetes.org .