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Diabetes Support
About Diabetes
According to the American Diabetes Association, a recent study showed that many overweight and obese Americans do not believe they are at serious risk for diabetes and are ignoring it as a health risk. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States . There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 indicates that the body cannot produce any insulin. This most often occurs in children and young adults. These individuals must take daily insulin injections. Type 2 is a metabolic disorder resulting from the body’s inability to make enough, or properly use insulin. This type makes up 90 to 95 percent of affected population.
Risk Factors
The risk factors for diabetes include individuals with a family history of the disease; adults over the age of 45; individuals who are overweight by more than 10 pounds; individuals who do not exercise on a regular basis; minority populations; individuals with hypertensions or blood pressure greater than 140 over 90; and women who had gestational diabetes or who had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth.
Warning Signs:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Unusual weight loss
- Increased fatigue
- Irritability
- Blurry vision
- BMI > 25