By Russ George
National Diabetes Awareness Month will end November 30. However, members of the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley work together, year round, to bring about an awareness of diabetes, prediabetes, and the dangers of uncontrolled blood sugar (glucose).
Last week, I shared with readers of The Voice, what the American Diabetes Association says about prediabetes. This week readers can learn what diabetes is and common symptoms of diabetes.
What is Diabetes? Diabetes is a problem with your body that causes blood glucose levels to rise higher than normal, called hyperglycemia.
When you eat, your body breaks food down into glucose and sends it into the blood. Insulin then helps move the glucose from blood into your cells. When glucose enters your cells, it is either used as fuel for energy right away or stored for later use. In a person with diabetes, there is a problem with insulin. But, not everyone with diabetes has the same problem.
There are different types of diabetes: Type 1, type 2, and a condition called gestational diabetes. If you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make insulin, can’t use insulin it does make well, or both.
Diabetes may be treated with insulin, oral medications, exercise, and meal planning. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to several complications, such as nerve damage, kidney or eye problems, heart disease, and stroke. But, if managed well, you can live a long, healthy life with diabetes.
Warning Signs of Diabetes! The following symptoms are typical, however, some people with type 2 diabetes have symptoms so mild that they go unnoticed.
Common symptoms of diabetes include: Urinating often, feeling very thirsty, feeling very hungry even though you are eating more, extreme fatigue, blurry vision, cuts and bruises that are slow to heal, weight loss—even though you are eating more (type 1), and tingling, pain, or numbness in your hands or feet (type 2).
Visit diabetes.org for more information about diabetes and diabetesfoodhub.org for delicious recipes.
The Diabetes Club of Fox Valley thanks the American Diabetes Association’s Chicagoland Office, for allowing DCFV to distribute ADA’s information on prediabetes, and diabetes.
Want information on prediabetes, diabetes and healthy meal planning? Send an E-mail, requesting information on diabetes, along with your name and address to: Diabetesclubfv@gmail.com.
The Diabetes Club of Fox Valley held its monthly “Mini Fundraiser” Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Portillo’s, on Randall Road, in Batavia. DCFV’s fundraising chairperson, Jenny McCain, arranges the monthly fundraisers at various restaurants and food vendors, who donate back a percentage of sales, generated by club members and friends of DCFV, on a specified date.
December’s “Mini Fundraiser” will be held Monday, Dec. 9, at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, 1720 N. Orchard Road, in Aurora, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.. Use promo code: GPFUND24, or request a flyer by E-mail: Diabetesclubfv@gmail.com or by text: 630-205-9065.
Members of the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley currently meet monthly, on the second Wednesday, of each month, January through November, at Oak Street Restaurant, 945 Oak Street, in North Aurora. Optional Dinner at 5:30 p.m.. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. Guests are always welcome!
The Diabetes Club of Fox Valley is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization, a true grassroots organization, where all monies raised through dues, donations and fundraising is used in our fight against diabetes. Our Mission is supporting efforts to prevent and find a cure for diabetes. Our Purpose is to raise funds to aid those who work in research and/or education regarding diabetes, and to assist those with diabetes in any way we can. Our Vision is to have a world free of diabetes.
Why not consider joining our fight against diabetes? You don’t need to be diabetic, to be a member of our club! Invite a family member, friend or business associate to attend one of our meetings or events with you! Guests are always welcome at membership meetings and all club events! Yearly individual membership dues are $50 per year. Corporate Dues are $150 per year, which includes a sponsorship listing on the club’s website: www.diabeteshelpnearme.com
Interested in joining with us in our fight against diabetes, or have questions about the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley, please call, text or send an E-mail to club president, Russ George, 630-205-9065 or send Email: Diabetesclubfv@gmail.com
Please continue to keep informed about our club’s upcoming events, by following us in The Voice, on Facebook, and on our website: diabeteshelpnearme.com