DIABETES: RISING FAST

  Diabetes is a lifelong disease in which there are high levels of sugar in the blood. It affects more than 20 million Americans. Over 40 million Americans have early type 2 diabetes (pre diabetes). Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar. Too little or a resistance to insulin causes high blood sugar levels. This disease is one of the fastest growing diseases in children, teens, young adults and adults. There are three major types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes: Can occur at any age, but is often diagnosed in children, teens, or young adults. Daily injections are needed and the exact cause is unknown.
• Gestational diabetes: This is a high blood sugar that develops at any time during pregnancy in women that do not have diabetes. These women usually have larger babies and testing is done during pregnancy to help detect it.
• Type 2 diabetes:  This form of diabetes makes up most of the diabetes cases. It's the fastest growing of  the three types. It most often occurs in adulthood, but teens and young adults are now being diagnosed with it because of high obesity rates. Many people with type 2 diabetes don't even know they have it.

Though there is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes, but type 2 diabetes can be prevented by keeping an ideal body weight and a active lifestyle. Diet, exercise and medicines control blood sugar levels and helps prevent symptoms.