Diabetes is silently increasing as more Americans are being diagnosed with the disease. One who suffers from diabetes has a lifelong condition where there are high levels of sugar in their bloodstream. The pancreas helps break down glucose to maintain energy. Those diagnosed with diabetes do not have enough insulin to support their bodies.
Diabetes is a dangerous and serious disease that can take the lives of many. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) listed diabetes in the top 10 leading causes of death. CDCP reports that currently “68,705 Americans die from diabetes.” While so many are affected with diabetes in some way, this disease can often be forgotten due to the media’s inclination to discuss other conditions such as heart disease and cancer.
One concern with diabetes is that many do not know they have the disease at all. The American Diabetes Association reports that 7 million people are undiagnosed and 79 million people have prediabetes. This can be a serious threat to many lives because of the symptoms that can occur without proper treatment. Symptoms include blurry vision, excessive thirst, fatigue, frequent urination, hunger and weight loss. Also, people who are not aware they have diabetes are putting themselves at a higher risk of kidney disease, eye disease, nervous system disease, heart attack and stroke. Those who maintain good blood glucose and blood pressure lower their chances of those complications.
Another complication with diabetes is foot problems. Diabetes is known to affect the body’s ability to fight infections as well as hurt blood vessels and nerves. The New York Times states, “If left untreated, the affected foot may need to be amputated. Diabetes is the most common condition leading to amputations.”
There are three different types of diabetes. Each has its own characteristics and requires different medical treatments. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition that normally begins in childhood. Many theorize that this form of diabetes is from genetics, viruses and autoimmune problems. Those who have Type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin shots. Currently, there is no known cure for this disease.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common diabetes type. Many learn they have Type 2 diabetes when they become adults. Yet, children can be diagnosed with this condition as well. Type 2 is increasing due to the spike in obesity and lack of exercise among Americans. Those who have Type 2 can reduce their risks by exercising, establishing a healthy diet and taking an oral pill that lowers blood glucose.
The last type is gestational diabetes. This can occur in women who have high blood glucose during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is much like Type 2 diabetes in that it can also be treated by regular exercise and a balanced diet. Many doctors find that those who have gestational diabetes put themselves at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
In order to prevent your risks of developing Type 2 diabetes and taking precaution to this illness, there are several measures to reduce the risks and to stay healthy. Exercise regularly and strive to maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI). There is no way to prevent Type 1 diabetes, and no effective screening test for those who do not show symptoms. Yet, people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes should visit their health care specialists for checks on blood pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin, cholesterol and kidneys. Those who are overweight should have regular screening tests as well.
In order to find a cure and stop the growing rate of diabetes patients, visit stopdiabetes.org to learn about involvement, volunteering and donating. By making a donation to the American Diabetes Association, you are helping to continue research as well as to provide services to those who suffer from diabetes.
— Samantha Trueheart is a sophomore in communications. She can be reached at struehea@utk.edu.
