Healthy habits: Signs can help detect diabetes – Huntington Herald Dispatch

The numbers are staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some 29.1 million people have diabetes.

That's about one out of every 11 people living with the disease.

There are three types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and gestational.

Each has its own set of symptoms. Because many of these symptoms go unnoticed or appear harmless, diabetes often goes undiagnosed.

Early detection and treatment of symptoms can decrease the chance of developing diabetic complications.

With Type 1 diabetes, the body doesn't produce insulin, and the disease usually develops before a person's 40th birthday. Symptoms include frequent urination, unusual thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, and extreme fatigue and irritability. Type 1 makes up approximately 10 percent of all diabetic cases. Insulin injections, regular blood tests and a special diet are needed.

People with Type 2 diabetes don't produce enough insulin for proper body function or the cells in their bodies are insulin resistant.

Symptoms include any of the Type 1 symptoms, as well as frequent infections, blurred vision, cuts/bruises that are slow to heal, tingling/numbness in the hands or feet, and recurring skin, gum or bladder infections.

It can be treated with weight loss, diet, exercise, monitoring of blood glucose levels and insulin injections.

Gestational diabetes occurs when a woman develops high levels of glucose in her blood during pregnancy because the body is unable to produce enough insulin to transport all the glucose into cells.

It can be controlled with exercise and diet, but if left undiagnosed or uncontrolled, it can cause delivery complications.

Anyone experiencing the symptoms of diabetes should talk to their health care provider.

Sources: American Diabetes Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Healthy Habits 2017 is a partnership among Cabell Huntington Hospital, Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and St. Mary's Medical Center. We are a community working together to improve our health. Our goal is to inform and encourage area residents on ways to improve their health. Join our conversation and "like" us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/healthyhabitshuntington.

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Healthy habits: Signs can help detect diabetes - Huntington Herald Dispatch