By Russ George
Members of the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley work together, to bring about an awareness of diabetes, prediabetes, and the dangers of uncontrolled blood sugar (glucose).
Last month, I shared with readers of The Voice, what the American Diabetes Association says about prediabetes. This week readers an 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 of those 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).
In a future issue of The Voice, I will explain more about type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes, including diabetes management. You can 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.
•Members of the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley meet monthly and have guest speakers from various health and community organizations. Our next membership meeting will be held Wednesday, May 8, at Oak Street Restaurant, 945 Oak Street, in North Aurora. Optional dinner at 5:30 p.m.. Meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and guests are always welcome!
•Our Club’s May Meet and Greet, organized by media chairperson, Ann McBride, to expose our Club and our mission, will be held Saturday, May 11, at Panera Bread, 2987 Kirk Road, in Aurora, from 9 a.m. to noon. Stop at our table, meet some of our members, while picking up information on diabetes, prediabetes, and a healthy meal planner.
•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 for 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. Individual dues are $50 per year, corporate dues are $1,500 per year, which includes a sponsorship listing on the Club’s website: www.diabeteshelpnearme.com.
•Why not sign up to participate in our Club’s second annual Tee Off to Defeat Diabetes Golf Outing, Friday, June 21, at Bliss Creek Golf Course, in Sugar Grove, with a shotgun start at 1 p.m.
•Sign up on our website: www.diabeteshelpnearme.com or request a golf flyer and registration/sponsorship form by Email at: Diabetesclubfv@gmail.com.
•Adam Broholm, chairperson, and Matt McCain, co-chairperson, said “We promise you a bigger and more rewarding event than last year! Only $130 per golfer, includes a hot dog lunch, golf, cart, goody bag and steak dinner!” Questions: Contact Matt McCain at: 630-740-4348.
•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