September 15
Type II Diabetes
	There is a rise in type II diabetes, not only in adults, but children, as well. Type II diabetes occurs when the body has difficulty regulating the blood sugar, because there isn’t enough insulin, or the insulin is ineffective. People with diabetes are more prone to infection than people without it. Diabetes can cause blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and even death. And the longer one has the disease, the greater the risk of these complications. Most people with type II diabetes are adults, but there’s been a disturbing trend of increasing numbers of children diagnosed with the disease. Experts blame the rise in diabetes on increasing rates of obesity in both children and adults. Obesity is a significant risk factor for diabetes. The good news is that type II diabetes can not only be controlled, but it can be prevented, with a healthy diet and exercise. So we really need to encourage good habits in our children, so they can avoid the problems associated with this disease.
	How do you know if you have diabetes? What are some of the signs? Sometimes there are no signs early on, and it may be picked up on a routine blood test. Someone with diabetes may have more infections than usual, or if the blood sugar is very high, symptoms can include excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, or weakness.
	RESOURCES: Diabetes Public Health Resource Center for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/diabetes American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org/