Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses blood sugar, or glucose. Glucose is one of the main sources of fuel for the brain and energy for the cells that make up your tissues and muscles. When you have diabetes, there is too much glucose in your blood, which can lead to very serious health problems.
Chronic diabetes can be broken down into two groups. Type 1 typically starts at any early age and cannot be prevented. Type 2 can start later in life, but more and more children are being diagnosed with it. Type 2 can be prevented or delayed with a healthier lifestyle.* It should be clearly noted that both types can develop at any age.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Symptoms vary depending on blood sugar levels. With type 1, the symptoms can occur much faster and be more severe. Both types experience the following: extreme hunger, increased thirst, frequent urination, ketones in the urine, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, irritability, slowly healing sores, frequent infections of the skin, gums, or vagina.
What are the treatments?
The earlier diabetes is diagnosed, the sooner you can receive treatments. If you think that you or your child might have it, consult your doctor immediately. Your doctor can cover blood sugar management, and in the case of type 2, healthier lifestyle options.*
* Individual results may vary.