November is Diabetes Awareness Month: Understanding and Managing Diabetes
Posted by Dr. Sharandeep Takhar MD, MBA on Nov 14th 2024
November is Diabetes Awareness Month – a time to shine a spotlight on a disease that affects millions of Americans, and with good reason. It's not just about statistics; it's about the lives impacted by Diabetes Mellitus (DM) every single day.
What is Diabetes Mellitus (DM)?
At its core, Diabetes Mellitus is a disorder that disrupts how our bodies process sugar (or glucose). It's like your body’s internal traffic system goes haywire when trying to direct sugar to the right places. There are two main types of DM:
Type 1 Diabetes (DM1): This type usually shows up in younger people, often during childhood or adolescence, when the pancreas decides to stop producing insulin – the hormone that helps us process glucose. Since the body can’t do its job on its own, people with DM1 rely on insulin injections to help keep their blood sugar levels in check.
Type 2 Diabetes (DM2): More common in older adults, DM2 occurs when the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or doesn’t respond to it properly. Unlike DM1, some people with DM2 can manage their condition with oral medications or lifestyle changes, although insulin may be necessary if the disease progresses.
How Can You Prevent Diabetes?
While Type 1 Diabetes is not preventable, there is some good news when it comes to Type 2 Diabetes: it is often preventable with lifestyle changes. Factors like obesity, lack of physical activity, and poor diet can increase your risk of developing DM2. So, staying active, eating well, and managing your weight can significantly lower your chances of developing the disease. And, of course, regular check-ups and screenings are important, as diabetes is often caught through routine blood-work before symptoms appear.
How Does DM Affect the Body?
Diabetes doesn't just affect blood sugar levels – it can have an impact on almost every organ in your body, from your heart to your kidneys to your eyes (and even your skin!). That's why keeping your blood sugar levels within a healthy range is so critical. For those on insulin, daily glucose monitoring is a must to stay ahead of the game and prevent complications.
So, let’s take this month to learn, advocate, and support those living with diabetes. After all, we’re all in this together.
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