Recognizing November as American Diabetes Month serves to raise awareness for the more than 38 million Americans living with diabetes and also represents a time to come together as a community.

What are the causes of diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease when blood sugar (glucose) levels are higher than normal.

This results from the body’s inability to use or store blood glucose as an energy source. A hormone called insulin is needed to move sugar, but diabetes limits the body’s ability to produce enough insulin. When the body cannot produce enough insulin or does not use it properly, sugar builds up in the blood. Organ damage caused by diabetes can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other serious health problems.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a leading cause of disability and death in the United States. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body has high blood sugar levels caused by a lack of insulin. The underlying mechanism involves an autoimmune reaction in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, causing the pancreas to produce little or no insulin. This type of diabetes often develops in young people but can appear in adults. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body has high blood sugar levels due to a lack of insulin or the inability to use insulin effectively. This type of diabetes usually develops in middle-aged or older adults, but can also occur in young people.

What are the risk factors for diabetes?

Some of the risk factors for diabetes are high blood pressure, being overweight and smoking. Although some risk factors are out of control, such as a family history of diabetes, other factors, including smoking or being overweight, are factors you can try to work on. Small, gradual changes in your lifestyle, such as increasing aerobic exercise, losing weight, and eating a healthy, regular diet, can significantly reduce your risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

You may be at risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes if you are 45 years or older, if you are overweight or obese, if you have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes, if you are physically inactive, if you have a history of gestational diabetes, or if you are African American, Native American, Hispanic or Latino, or Alaska Native.

How can exercise help?

Various exercise programs lower your blood sugar and help you stay healthy. Start slowly and choose things you enjoy doing. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water. Before exercising, check your feet to make sure you don’t have any cuts or sores that could worsen with exercise or make exercise painful.

• Aerobic exercise using the big muscles in your arms and legs makes your heart beat faster. Examples include brisk walking, swimming, cycling, and playing sports. Aim for at least 30 minutes at least three days a week.

• Strength training using hand weights, weight machines or resistance bands helps build muscle. (Caution! Do not lift heavy weights if you have high blood pressure or eye problems). Other ddaily activities To move your body, you can clean the house, walk the dog, or park far away. Try to find ways to move more throughout your day.

How can changing your diet help you?

Your blood sugar is linked to the foods you eat. People with diabetes need to balance the type and amount of foods they eat daily.

You can enjoy your favorite comfort foods high in sugar and fat, but consider moderation and balance. The main thing is to eat them only from time to time, in smaller portions, balancing them with healthier foods and more physical activity.

Let’s come together this American Diabetes Month and raise awareness and understanding of diabetes care and prevention in our community. We are stronger together.

Dr Sue Mitra is board certified in internal medicine and a member of the American College of Physicians. She has been practicing in Brevard County since 2002. Dr. Mitra is accepting new patients and can be reached at 321-622-6222 to discuss the best possible next steps to understand and reduce your risk of diabetes.

You can also visit his website at suemitra.com to learn more about his practice.

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This article was originally published on Florida Today: Dr Mitra: What you need to know about diabetes and how to manage it