National Diabetes Awareness Month
- November 14th is World Diabetes Day
- Every 17 seconds an American is diagnosed with diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 to 95% of all diabetes cases
- North Carolina ranks 13th highest in the U.S. for adult diabetes cases
The above statistics speak for themselves…diabetes is a major health risk globally, in the United States and in the state of North Carolina.
To help reduce the number of cases and deaths from diabetes, Medic is proud to join the American Diabetes Association in recognizing November as National Diabetes Awareness Month. Medic remains committed to educating our community about impact of diabetes by increasing awareness and prevention initiatives of this sweeping health risk.
In honor of Diabetes Awareness Month, Medic offers the following helpful information to provide clarity, identify risk factors and symptoms as well as prevention methods you can use to keep from becoming a victim of diabetes.
Definition
Diabetes is defined as a group of diseases characterized by high levels of blood glucose (blood sugar).
Forms of Diabetes
Below are the three forms of diabetes:
Type 1: Formerly known as “juvenile diabetes”, Type 1 form of diabetes occurs when the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that lives in our bodies and is needed to convert foods, starches and sugar into energy.
Type 2: Type 2 diabetes is the most commonly diagnosed form of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that lives in our bodies and is needed to convert foods, starches and sugar into energy. This leads to a buildup of insulin in the blood.
Gestational Diabetes: Gestational Diabetes occurs in some pregnant women who have never had diabetes before, but high levels of blood sugar have been detected.
The following links contain important information on the symptoms, risk factors and prevention for the three types of diabetes
Helpful Links
Please visit the following helpful links below to receive more in depth information on Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes:
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - Fact Sheet
National Diabetes Education Program
North Carolina Diabetes Prevention and Control Branch
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