More than 133 million Americans are living with diabetes or prediabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Take a few moments during November, which is designated as American Diabetes Month, to learn more about both the disease and its prevention.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes occurs when your body does not properly process food into energy. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't respond to insulin—the critical hormone that gets glucose (sugar used as energy) to the cells in your body—or doesn't produce insulin at all. This causes sugars to build up in your blood, putting the body at risk for dangerous complications.
Three quick facts about diabetes
- There are three types of diabetes: type 1 (usually childhood onset), type 2 (usually adult onset), and gestational (during pregnancy). Type 2 is the most common, and cases of both types 1 and 2 are on the rise.
- Diabetes is diagnosed with one or more blood tests.
- Diabetes may be managed with monitoring, medication, and changes to diet and lifestyle.
What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes?
Some people with diabetes have symptoms so mild they go unnoticed. But early detection and treatment can decrease the risk of developing complications, so it's important to know the warning signs. Common symptoms include:
- High blood pressure
- Low blood sugar
- Headaches
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Increased appetite
- Weight loss
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
Webinar: Understanding and Coping With Diabetes
Join the webinar titled Understanding and Coping With Diabetes to learn about diabetes prevention, detection, and disease management. Causes, signs, and symptoms of diabetes will be discussed, along with the differences between the three types. Participants will learn about lifestyle and nutritional changes that can help prevent, reverse, or manage diabetes.
The webinar will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21. Register here.
Additional Johns Hopkins resources
The Diabetes Prevention Program is an evidence-based yearlong lifestyle change program to help participants at risk for type 2 diabetes adopt sustainable, healthy lifestyle choices and achieve weight loss.
Burnalong, a free virtual wellness platform offered to JHU faculty and staff, offers several diabetes education classes as well as programs for managing and preventing diabetes. Log into your Burnalong account and search for "773" to find the program titled A Roadmap to Successfully Managing Diabetes.
If you haven't yet signed up for your free Burnalong account, you can click here to set it up. Burnalong features thousands of online classes for all ages, interests, and levels and provides the social motivation needed to achieve health and wellness goals. You can add four friends or family members to your account.
JHU employees enrolled in a CareFirst Medical Plan can rely on Quantum Health for help managing diabetes and navigating health care. Contact Quantum Health care coordinators at 844-460-2801, 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, or access the Quantum Health member portal.
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