Halloween is over. Candy has been eaten, in quantities both large and small. On the heels of this sugar-laden holiday comes Diabetes Awareness Month. The rates of diabetes in the US and worldwide are climbing steadily upward, and the American Diabetes Association would like to change the trend.
Nearly 21 million children and adults in the United States are living with diabetes, and another 54 million people are at-risk. If the upward trend doesn't change, one in three Americans will develop diabetes in his or her lifetime. Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is vital for the conversion of sugar, starches, and other foods into energy needed for daily life.
There are four major types of diabetes, and to learn what they are just read more
- Type 1 diabetes: Formerly known as juvenile diabetes, in this form of diabetes the body does not produce insulin at all.
- Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 diabetes, until recently also known as adult onset diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. In this form of diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin.
- Gestational diabetes: Gestational diabetes affects pregnant women. There are about 135,000 cases in the US annually.That is four percent of all pregnant Americans.
- Pre-diabetes: Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There are 54 million Americans who have pre-diabetes and having this condition puts you at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
For more information please visit the American Diabetes Association. The site is full of amazing information!