Up to 29 million Americans are dealing with diabetes – representing one in every 11 people and 86 million more who are at risk of developing the disease. November highlights this health crisis and the opportunity to address the disease that causes more deaths than AIDS and breast cancer combined.
Diabetes is a problem with your body that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It is caused when your body does not use insulin properly. At first, your pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for the problem. But, over time it isn’t able to make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose at normal levels.
Some symptoms of diabetes are so mild that they go unnoticed. Common symptoms include:
Urinating often
Feeling very thirsty or hungry
Extreme fatigue
Blurry vision
Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
Weight loss — even though you are eating more
Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet
When glucose builds up in the blood, it can cause problems and over time, it may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart. Some people with Type 2 diabetes can control their blood glucose with healthy eating and being active, but others may need to be treated with oral medications and/or insulin. Early detection and treatment of the disease is vital to avoid complications of the disease.
Don’t delay getting a check up, even if you don’t have insurance coverage. The SLO Noor Foundation Free Clinics have medical professionals to assist in screening and treating diabetes for people who are uninsured.
Our medical clinic is located at 1428 Phillips Lane, Suite B-4 in San Luis Obispo and appointments are available Monday through Friday by calling (805) 439-1797. The SLO Noor Foundation Free Clinics provide high quality care to uninsured adults regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, immigration or socioeconomic status.
www.slonoorfoundation.org [email protected]
