Diabetes
Did you know diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the U.S.?
According to the CDC, and the American Diabetes Association, over 38 million Americans have Diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is when the body doesn’t produce insulin. It often develops in children, teens, and young adults, but can happen at any age. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and occurs when your body doesn’t use insulin properly. Type 2 diabetes most often develops in people 45 or older, however more and more children, teens, and young adults are also developing it.
Diabetes affects heart health and can also cause blindness, kidney failure, and amputations of feet and/or legs not related to accidents or injury.
If you have an increased risk of diabetes due to family history or if you’re overweight, you need to make diabetes prevention a priority. Fortunately, this can be as simple as eating healthier foods, and it’s easier than you think.
Take the first steps towards a healthier diet by adding more fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains and leaner meats to your shopping list and try to include them in most meals. In time it’ll get easier to eat more healthy foods, plus eating healthy foods will help you lose weight.
For more information about diabetes, visit these websites:
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Symptoms & Prevention
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent diabetes, or if you already have diabetes, to manage it so that you can lead a healthier life.
Symptoms of diabetes include:
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst or hunger
- Weight loss
- Blurred vision
- Slowed healing of wounds
Ways to prevent diabetes include:
- Losing weight
- Eating healthier
- Controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol
- Quitting smoking if you are a smoker
