by BJ Armstrong

This is no Halloween Trick or Treat.... Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other foods into energy needed for life on a daily basis.

Over time blood sugar levels cause complications such as hearing, eyesight, and kidney disease. So whether you have Type 1 or Type ll diabetes, it's important that you control your blood sugar. You can accomplish this by eating a healthy diet, increasing physical activity, and taking all medications prescribed by your doctor.

Type 1 diabetes usually has the symptoms of frequent urination, increased thirst, and weight loss. Type ll diabetes often develops more slowly, with few or no symptoms. It may go unnoticed at first. For the most part, people have Type ll for four to seven years before they are diagnosed. Experts recommend that people age 45 or over be tested regularly. So, this October 2004, make a doctor appointment and get your blood sugar level tested.

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. The body does not produce insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar being the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells.

Type ll diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In this type, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Diabetes Type 1 and ll is serious. And like a Halloween mask, can be scary, but people with diabetes can live long, healthy, happy lives.

Diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death listed on U.S. death charts in the year 2000. This is based on the 69,301 death certificates in which diabetes was listed as the cause of death.

Complications of diabetes in the United States are contributed to heart disease

and stroke.

* Heart disease is the leading cause of diabetes-related deaths. Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates 2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes.

* The risk of stroke is 2 to 4 times higher among people with diabetes.

* About 65% of deaths among people with diabetes are due to

heart disease and stroke.
Some diabetes symptoms include:

* Excessive thirst
* Frequent urination
* Increased fatigue
* Irritability
* Unusual weight loss
* Blurry vision
* Extreme hunger

If you have one or more of these symptoms, see your doctor. It's not just the October Fall weather, something else could be a problem.

Increasing your physical activity is one of the most helpful things you can do for yourself, especially if you have diabetes. This doesn't mean joining a health club necessarily or working out every day. This might mean just adding to your daily activity level such as, taking the stairs or walking the dog.

If you will commit yourself to a regular 30-minute program 5 days a week, you can:
1. Improve the body's response to insulin.
2. Lower blood pressure.
3. Reduce cholesterol.
4. Improve circulation.
5. Help reduce need of medication by lowering blood glucose levels.
6. Reduce risk of heart attack.
7. Reduce risk of strokes.
8. Increase your metabolism.
9. Increase your muscle mass.
10. Lose weight.

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came;
The ashes, oaks and maples,
And those of every name.
                  -  George Cooper