November is American Diabetes Month – a time to raise awareness, education, and promote research and prevention about one of the fastest growing chronic diseases that affect many individuals. This year marks the 85th year the American Diabetes Association, a voluntary health organization focused on ending diabetes.
In the United States:
- 136 million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes
- 1.2 million Americans are diagnosed each year with diabetes
- 1 in 3 older adults has diabetes
- Diabetes contributes to the deaths of ~400,000 Americans annually
In Massachusetts:
- 560,400 adults in Massachusetts have diagnosed diabetes
- ~31,000 adults in Massachusetts will be diagnosed with diabetes each year
The most common types of diabetes are:
- Type 1: Occurs when your body does not make insulin or does not make enough insulin. Typically diagnosed in young people, but can develop at any age. There is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes, but if not treated, it can lead to complications and insulin will need to be taken every day.
- Type 2: Occurs when your body does not use insulin properly. Develops most often in middle-aged and older adults, but has been increasing in younger people. Treatment for type 2 diabetes include: an eating plan, physical activity, and medication.
- Gestational Diabetes: Develops only during pregnancy and usually goes away after birth. Can occur due to the placenta hormones potentially blocking the mother’s insulin, leading to insulin resistance and can pose health risks when left untreated. Treatment varies from person to person, but can include special meal plans, physical activity, daily blood glucose testing, and insulin injections
Diagnosing and treating diabetes is important because there is potential to develop other diseases that are increased by having diabetes including: heart disease, neuropathy, and eye disease.
For more information, visit: https://diabetes.org