Sign Up For Event See All Events

Diabetes Resources for Patients

Diabetes is a serious condition that causes higher than normal blood sugar levels. Hispanic/Latino Americans are particularly vulnerable to developing type 2 diabetes with more than 50% higher chances of developing it in their lifetime.

What is Diabetes?

article svg
Hispanic/Latino Americans and Type 2 Diabetes

Information from the CDC on risk factors, managing  diabetes, and prediabetes.
Diabetes Research Institute

Diabetes can strike anyone, from any walk of life. And it does – in numbers that are dramatically increasing.
International Diabetes Federation

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is no longer able to make insulin, or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it produces.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high.
University of Rochester Medical Center

When you have diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin. Or it can’t use the insulin it makes.

Prevention

article svg
National Diabetes Prevention Program

The National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) is a partnership of public and private organizations working to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
Simple Steps to Preventing Diabetes

Keeping weight in check, being active, and eating a healthy diet can help prevent most cases of type 2 diabetes.
How to Prevent Diabetes

If you are at risk for diabetes, you may be able to prevent or delay getting it. Most of the things that you need to do involve having a healthier lifestyle.
NIDDK-sponsored Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)

The NIDDK-sponsored Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and ongoing DPP Outcomes Study (DPPOS) are major studies that changed the way people approach type 2 diabetes prevention worldwide.

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

  • Type 1 diabetes is the most severe form of diabetes
    • 5% of people who have diabetes have type 1
    • Type 1 diabetes is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes
  • Type 1 usually develops in children and teenagers but can be developed by people of all ages
  • Type 1 diabetes is caused by the body’s immune system attacking insulin-producing cells in the pancreas
  • Since the body attacks its own cells, type 1 diabetes is known as an autoimmune disease

    1

Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes must be treated through a daily regimen of insulin therapy. The amount of insulin taken is dependent on:

  • Food
  • Exercise
  • Stress
  • Emotions and general health

    1

Warning Signs of Type 1 Diabetes

The onset of type 1 diabetes is very quick. The following symptoms can occur sudden:

  • Increased thirst
  • Increased urination (bed-wetting may occur in children)
  • Rapid and unexplained weight loss
  • Extreme hunger
  • Extreme weakness or fatigue
  • Unusual irritability
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain
  • Unpleasant breath odor
  • Itchy skin1

What is Type 2 Diabetes?1

  • Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes
    • It is non-insulin dependent
    • 90% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes
  • Type 2 diabetes is typically developed after the age of 35
    • However, a growing number of young people are developing type 2 diabetes
  • People with type 2 diabetes can produce some insulin, but not enough.
    • This is often a result of obesity and sedentary habits

Warning signs of Type 2 Diabetes1

The warning signs of type 2 diabetes include:

  • Increased thirst
  • Rapid and unexplained weight loss
  • Extreme hunger
  • Extreme weakness or fatigue
  • Unusual irritability
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain
  • Unpleasant breath odor
  • Itchy skin

These symptoms are often slower to present themselves and develop. It is important to talk to a doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, as they can often be mistaken for other conditions.

Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes1

The main treatment for type 2 diabetes is improving the use of insulin by the body. This can include:

  • Creating a healthy diet
  • Increasing physical activity
  • Weight loss

Some medications and in some cases, insulin, can act as a treatment for type 2 diabetes.

How to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes1

In order to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes, lifestyle changes can be made. These lifestyle changes include:

  • Losing weight
  • Increasing physical activity (150 minutes per week)
  • Spending less time being sedentary
  • Introducing healthy foods into your diet

What is Prediabetes?

  • Prediabetes can occur before the onset of type 2 diabetes.
  • Prediabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not quite as high as diabetic blood sugar levels
    • More than 1 in 3 U.S adults have prediabetes, and many of those with prediabetes will have type 2 diabetes within 10 years.
  • However, use of preventative tactics such as weight loss, increased physical activity, and a healthy diet can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.2

Citations

<< Click Here To See More >>