SYRACUSE, N.Y. — On World Diabetes Day, health experts are raising awareness about the increasing prevalence of diabetes worldwide. There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease with no cure. Type 2 is where the body becomes insulin-resistant.
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, more children, teens and young adults are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. This form of diabetes is more common among Black, Hispanic, and Native American populations.
Susan Millstein, the program manager for the Diabetes Control & Prevention Program at the New York State Health Department, explained why there is an increase in the number of people being diagnosed.
“The increase is really likely due to more and more people being diagnosed by health care providers, which is a good thing, so they know they are at much higher risk for Type 2 diabetes and then can do something to lower their risk,” said Millstein.
Monitoring blood glucose levels to manage diabetes (File photo)
Common signs of Type 2 diabetes include frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, and extreme fatigue. The condition can be managed with healthy eating, exercise, and medications.
Ian Brissette, director of the Bureau for Chronic Disease Evaluation and Research at the New York State Health Department, emphasized the importance of lifestyle changes in preventing diabetes.
“Diabetes is something that can be prevented through lifestyle change, so even if you are on the course towards it, your genes aren’t your destiny through in this case, through healthy eating, physical activity, and management. You can prevent diabetes,” he said, referring to Type 2 diabetes.
The New York State Health Department advocates for blood glucose screenings to be part of regular health check-ups to detect Type 2 diabetes early.
The CDC offers a diabetes risk assessment online, a 10-question survey to evaluate the risk for prediabetes.