Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious disease that can lead to blindness, heart attack/cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and amputations. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in Connecticut. In 2016, the Southeastern Connecticut Health Improvement Collaborative identified diabetes, and specifically the underlying factors that lead to diabetes, as one of 3 priority health areas for the community to address. Ledge Light Health District, in partnership with Senior Resources, will facilitate three, FREE, six-week Live Well with Diabetes programs this year.

Type 1 Diabetes is commonly described as insulin-dependent diabetes. The bodies of people with Type 1 Diabetes do not produce enough insulin. These people need to take insulin injections. Type 1 Diabetes is usually diagnosed in children.

With Type 2 Diabetes, the pancreas may make insulin but the body may need help using it. Without that help, sugar will build up in the blood causing all kinds of problems.

Type 2 Diabetes, once thought of as a disease only affecting adults, is now one of the fastest growing diseases among children, primarily as a result of obesity. The percentage of young people who are overweight has doubled since 1980.

Symptoms of diabetes might include feeling tired, poor eyesight, urinating frequently, feeling thirsty – or there might be no symptoms at all.

An important step in lowering your risk of diabetes is to maintain a healthy Body Mass Index. Through good nutrition and exercise, you can delay or prevent Type 2 Diabetes from developing.