November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month (NDAM), an event celebrated across the world as a month to educate and raise awareness about type 1 diabetes (T1D).

The theme for this year is “You don’t know the half of it.” Type 1 diabetes has both a visible, public side and a second private, invisible side. The public side, the one that everyone sees, is physical, treatment-focused and often showcases few visible signs of struggle. 

 What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes sugar to build up in your blood.

What are the types of diabetes?

·         Type 1 diabetes, which was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or juvenile-onset diabetes, may account for about 5% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

·         Type 2 diabetes, which was previously called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetes, may account for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

·         Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only pregnant women get. If not treated, it can cause problems for mothers and babies. Gestational diabetes develops in 2% to 10% of all pregnancies but usually disappears when a pregnancy is over.

·         Other specific types of diabetes resulting from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses may account for 1% to 5% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Prediabetes is an elevated blood glucose level that is not quite high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes, but is higher than normal. One in three American adults has prediabetes, and most do not even know they have it. Many people with prediabetes who do not lose weight or do moderate physical activity will develop type 2 diabetes within 3 years.

Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations of the foot, toe or leg. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes

You are at increased risk for developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes if you:

·         Are 45 years of age or older.

·         Are overweight.

·         Have a family history of type 2 diabetes.

·         Are physically active fewer than three times per week.

·         Ever gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds.

·         Ever had diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes).

How you can manage your diabetes?