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As most of you know, I lost my Mom to Diabetic complications in June of
2001. In her honor, I have again accepted the challenge of
walking in the American Diabetes Association's America's Walk for
Diabetes fundraising event. I am taking part in this event because I
believe in and support the Association's mission to prevent and cure
diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
More information on the American Diabetes Association, its programs and
diabetes in general can be found at the
American Diabetes Association's website
You can help too by supporting my fund raising efforts with a generous
contribution. Your tax-deductible gift will make a difference to the 17
million Americans who suffer from diabetes and the 16 million people in
the United States with Pre-Diabetes. I will put a link to my Diabetes Walk
Page when the Walk is scheduled, then you can make your donation online
by simply clicking that link.
What is Diabetes?
Did you know that Diabetes kills more Americans than AIDS and breast
cancer combined?
Diabetes is a problem with the bodies ability to make insulin. Insulin
is a hormone made in the pancreas and it is essential for digestion.
After a meal, food is digested and carbohydrates are broken down into
sugar molecules called glucose. Glucose gets absorbed into the
bloodstream, and blood glucose levels rise. This rise in blood sugar
will trigger beta cells in the pancreas to release the right amount of
insulin into the blood stream. When a person can't make insulin or
their body does not react to insulin in the correct way, diabetes is
diagnosed. There are three types of Diabetes. Type I diabetes, Type II
diabetes and Gestational diabetes, which only occurs during pregnancy.
Type I diabetes is diagnosed when the pancreas does not produce enough
insulin to regulate blood sugar levels the way that it should.
Type II diabetes is defined by insulin resistance. Insulin produced by
the pancreas can't attach with the muscle cells to let glucose inside in
order to produce energy. This can often cause hyperglycemia as well.
Genetics are a huge factor with Type II diabetes. My family history has
several cases on both my maternal and paternal side so I am considered a
high-risk case. Most adults with diabetes have Type II. In fact current
research from the American Diabetes Association states that Type II
Diabetes accounts for 90 percent of all diabetes cases.
Gestational Diabetes occurs during pregnancy. When a woman is pregnant,
she provides her baby with glucose through the placenta. The placenta
provides all the nutrients for the unborn baby, which include several
hormones that make it difficult for the mother to use insulin herself,
creating an issue for glucose to move in her blood stream. There are
no obvious systems to Gestational Diabetes but if you have a history of
diabetes in your family, are considered obese or are over the age of 25,
you should be tested for diabetes between the 23rd-28th week of
pregnancy. My Mom was first diagnosed with diabetes while she was
pregnant with me. She had several complications with her pregnancy
which all played a part in her later diagnosis of Type II diabetes.
*All facts and statistics are referenced from the
American Diabetes Association's website
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