Understanding Diabetes
Did you know that 1 in 10 U.S. adults over the age of 18 has diabetes, and an estimated 85 million people have pre-diabetes? Diabetes is a leading cause of heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and amputation. The good news is, type 2 diabetes is preventable!
What causes diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease indicated by high levels of glucose (also known as blood sugar) in your blood.
- Blood glucose is your primary source of energy, and it comes from the foods you eat.
- Your body produces insulin to help the glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy.
- If your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the insulin doesn’t work the way it should, glucose can stay in your blood and never reach the cells.
- If blood glucose levels stay too high for an extended period of time, this can cause diabetes.
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes:
- Being overweight
- Having a family history of the disease
- Diabetes during pregnancy
Signs and symptoms of diabetes:
- Increased thirst and/or hunger
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Slow-healing sores
- Pins and needles or loss of feeling in the feet
- Blurry eyesight
Some people with diabetes don’t have any symptoms, so it’s important to see your doctor for regular bloodwork.
What can you do to prevent, delay or manage diabetes:
- Work with a health-care professional Maintain an appropriate weight
- Eat healthy
- Stay active
Learn more at www.cdc.gov/diabetes or speak to your doctor.