Diabetes Awareness Month

Diabetes is a prevalent chronic condition that changes how your body turns food into energy. People without diabetes process glucose and it gets released into your bloodstream, increasing your blood sugar and sending signals to your pancreas to start releasing insulin (CDC, 2021). Insulin is a hormone that allows your body to process sugars into energy. When patients struggle with making enough insulin for their body or their body does not properly utilize the insulin, they are diagnosed with diabetes. When your body does not have enough insulin or your cells do not respond to insulin, one’s blood sugar stays in the bloodstream causing serious health problems (CDC, 2021). There is no cure for diabetes, but eating healthy, being active, and losing weight can help negate some of the effects of diabetes.  

Type 1 Diabetes: Type 1 diabetes is an immune reaction where your pancreas does not produce enough insulin to maintain your blood sugar levels. Known risk factors are family history and your age (CDC, 2022).  

Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is when your cells do not respond properly to insulin, raising your blood sugar to unhealthy levels. Known risk factors are family history, weight, age, lack of physical activity, gestational diabetes, certain ethnicities or if you are prediabetic (CDC, 2022). 

Gestational Diabetes: Gestational diabetes is when you develop diabetes while pregnant. Known risk factors are weight, age, family history, previous gestational diabetes, certain ethnicities, and if you have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (CDC, 2022). 

Symptoms with diabetes can vary depending on the type of diabetes (1 or 2). People diagnosed with these types of diabetes often face polyuria, thirst, hunger, weight loss, vision problems, numbness, fatigue, dry skin, and more (CDC, 2021). Those facing type 1 diabetes can also experience nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain while those with type 2 diabetes are less likely to experience symptoms as it can take years to develop (CDC, 2021). Gestational diabetes often doesn’t show any symptoms. If one does not take steps to manage their diabetes, they are putting their health at risk. Heart attacks, strokes, kidney problems, gum disease, and nerve damage are just some of the long-lasting effects diabetes can have on your body (Diabetes UK).  

If you or a loved one has been struggling with treating your diabetes, call NEW Health today at (509) 935-6004 to schedule an appointment with a provider.  

Sources 

CDC. (2021, April 27). Diabetes Symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved August 23, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/symptoms.html 

CDC. (2022, April 5). Diabetes Risk Factors. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved August 23, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/risk-factors.html 

Diabetes UK. (n.d.). Complications of Diabetes. Diabetes UK. Retrieved August 23, 2022, from https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications