November is American Diabetes Month

November is American Diabetes Month and Blue Mountain Hospital wants to help raise awareness for this widespread condition. Throughout the month we will be sharing information about diabetes recognition, prevention, management, and more. For our first installment, we are covering the basics such as what diabetes is, how does it affect us, and what symptoms to look out for.

What is diabetes?

There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. It's important to focus on both during American Diabetes Month. Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. There is no known way to prevent or cure Type 1 diabetes, so contributing to research and development is vitally important. Type 2 is mostly diagnosed in adults and can be prevented or delayed by living a healthy style.

How do diabetes affect Americans?

Here are some staggering stats about diabetes:

• Over 10% of Americans have diabetes
• 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year
• Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States
• Over 34% of Americans have pre-diabetes, which could lead to an increase in our diabetes statistics in the next few years if it's not controlled
• In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled

What are the early signs of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?

While some symptoms can appear suddenly and others develop over long periods of time, it's important to know the symptoms that may indicate you are pre-diabetic or diabetic:

• Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms
  • Increased thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Extreme hunger
  • Blurred vision
  • Unintended weight loss
• Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms
  • Extreme exhaustion
  • Unintended weight gain
  • Slow healing wounds
  • Tingling in your hands or feet
  • Dizziness

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or are concerned about diabetes, make an appointment with your provider as soon as possible. Throughout the month, Blue Mountain Hospital will be sharing more information about diabetes for American Diabetes Month.