What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high.
Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin, a
hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for
energy. Sometimes your body doesn’t make enough—or any—insulin or doesn’t use insulin
well. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells.

Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause health problems. Although diabetes
has no cure, you can take steps to manage your diabetes and stay healthy.

Sometimes people call diabetes “a touch of sugar” or “borderline diabetes.” These terms suggest
that someone doesn’t really have diabetes or has a less serious case, but every case of diabetes is
serious.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Symptoms of diabetes include

 increased thirst and urination

 increased hunger
 fatigue
 blurred vision
 numbness or tingling in the feet or hands
 sores that do not heal
 unexplained weight loss

what are the risk factors of diabetes

You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you
  are overweight or obese
 are age 45 or older
 have a family history of diabetes
 are African American, Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian American,
Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander
 have high blood pressure
 have a low level of HDL (“good”) cholesterol, or a high level of triglycerides
 have a history of gestational diabetes or gave birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more
 are not physically active
 have a history of heart disease or stroke
 have depression

How can I lower my chances of developing diabetes?

Here are some things you can change to lower your risk:

Keep yourself fit

 Exercise regularly
 Participate in chores that make you fit digging in the farm,
 Walking instead of overreliance on vehicles
 Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week.
 If you have not been active, talk with your health care professional about which activities are
best.

Eat healthy foods most of the time.

 Eat smaller portions to reduce the amount of calories you eat each day and help you lose weight.
 Choosing foods with less fat is another way to reduce calories.
 Drink water instead of sweetened beverages.