November marks National Diabetes Awareness Month, and to avoid becoming a statistic, it is important to know the facts.
Type 2 Diabetes is known as a silent killer, yet the number of people who die from this disease is underestimated.
Now posing a serious health threat on a global scale, it’s important to get both you and your loved ones checked by a doctor.
There are 382 million people living with diabetes around the world, the majority of whom are aged between 40 and 59 years – a scary statistic.
With a rampant increase recorded especially among children and adolescents, it’s important to lead a positive lifestyle by following a healthy diet and checking your diabetes status annually.
Considered a lifestyle disease, the good news is that it is a preventable disease. With this said, it’s important as an individual to take ownership of your health, by encouraging and practicing a healthy diet paired with physical exercise.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 Diabetes is a condition characterised by high blood glucose levels caused by either a lack of insulin or the body’s inability to use insulin effectively.
It develops most often in adults, but is increasingly seen in children and adolescents.
Either your body does not produce enough insulin or your cells ignore the insulin produced.
So how does insulin work?
Insulin allows the body to use glucose for energy. When you eat food, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose.
The food you eat gets digested and broken down into a sugar your body’s cells can use.
If you’re suffering with Type 2 diabetes, the glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into the cells. This can cause two problems – your cells can be starved of energy and over time high blood glucose levels may damage your eyesight, kidneys, nerve and or heart.
Get yourself checked!
If you’re suffering from any of the below, please consult your nearest doctor and get tested:
• Obesity
• Poor diet
• Physical inactivity
• A family history of diabetes.
