Donating to Fight Diabetes

Donating to Fight Diabetes

As many as 25 million Americans have diabetes. That’s over 8% of the population. South Dakotaalone, one of the least populated states in the Union has a 6% rate of diabetes. Affecting both young and old alike, this disease is life-altering and often life-threatening as well. The American Diabetes Association is working to educate people about diabetes, promoting research, and advocating for affordable treatments for diabetic patients all over the United States. With your car donation to them through Donate a Car, you can help them keep moving forward in the fight against diabetes.

Types of Diabetes

There are 3 different types of Diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational. Each type has different indicators and risks, and are treated differently by doctors and patients.

Type 1

Type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenile diabetes, is a condition where the body doesn’t produce it’s own insulin. Insulin is a hormone that allows your body to absorb the sugars from carbohydrates and use it to provide energy for your body. This condition is typically diagnosed in young adults and children. Type 1 diabetes can be affected by diet, but it can’t be controlled by it. Medication is required to manage this kind of diabetes.

Type 2

Type 2diabetes, or hyperglycaemia, occurs when the body’s blood sugar levels rise above normal. This is caused because the body doesn’t use insulin properly to keep the sugar regulated. This kind of insulin resistance, depending upon the severity of it, can be handled with medication, diet, or a combination of both. This kind of diabetes often becomes apparent in adults.

Gestational

Gestational diabetes is specific to pregnant women. Women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes don’t necessarily have diabetes before their pregnancy, and won’t usually suffer with it after giving birth. The cause of gestational diabetes isn’t known, but it’s believed that the extra production of hormones that go into growing a foetus interrupt the natural production and absorption of insulin in the mother’s body.

Reduce Your Risk

Unless you have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, there is much you can do to prevent being diagnosed with diabetes in the future. Here are just a few suggestions to help keep you healthy:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid highly processed sugars and grains, sticking with whole grains as much as possible
• Reduce sodium consumption
• Don’t smoke

The efforts you put into staying healthy can save you money, discomfort, and even your life later on.