November is diabetes awareness month; get the facts and a healthy Thanksgiving menu
November is diabetes awareness month.
What is diabetes?
According to the American Diabetes Association, type 1, diagnosed in children and young adults, is a condition in which the pancreas does not produce insulin, the hormone people need to convert sugar and other foods into energy. Five to 10 percent of those impacted by the disease have type 1 diabetes.
The more common form is type 2 diabetes. Older adults, as well as African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asians, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islander populations have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Many pregnant women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, according to the ABA. If untreated or poorly managed, it can lead to health problems for the baby later on, such as obesity and a risk for type 2 diabetes. The baby may grow to be too big, risking injury to the child during birth.
Here is more information about symptoms and the many complications that can result from diabetes.
Diabetes in the news
• Doctors in Pisa, Italy, performed the world’s first robotically assisted pancreatic transplant Sept. 27, on a woman who had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 24.
• In Japan, scientists have found a link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Dallas Morning News. The scientists found those at high risk of diabetes may develop spots on the brain characteristic of Alzheimer’s.
• A team from the National Institutes of Health is exploring genetic elements that influence the risk of type 2 diabetes.
A healthy Thanksgiving
The ABA provides a number of healthy alternatives for Thanksgiving meals.
Juliana Keeping is a health and environment reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter
Comments
UtrespassM
Thu, Nov 11, 2010 : 10:50 a.m.
Diabetes can affect every part of the body, including the skin. Bacterial Infections: Inflamed tissues are usually hot, swollen, red, and painful.people with diabetes have more bacterial infections than other people do. Fungal Infections: Common fungal infections include jock itch, athlete's foot, ringworm and vaginal infection that causes itching. Nerves Damage: the nerves that control the oil and moisture in your foot no longer work. The foot and hands become very dry. The skin may peel and crack. To fight the diabetes, start with fight the Obesity. Studies show controlling weight is more effective than controlling blood sugar. http://www.lifeclinic.com/focus/diabetes/exercise.asp http://www.battlediabetes.com/better-sex-when-controlling-your-blood-sugar/
AmyLynn
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 10:22 a.m.
The drug makers and diabetes drug makers take in 10 billion$$$$ every year with no cure Food Chemicals are the cause of the diabetes and obesity crisis The FDA and Drug makers know this and are laughing to the Billionaire$$$ bank The food chemicals break the gut(insulin) and this is the cause of the diabetes and obesity crisis A filmmaker has been reversing diabetes and Obesity in now 10 countries and the drug makers do not promote the story just google SPIRIT HAPPY DIET