November is National diabetes Month, within this month our news staff has created a story and broadcast. Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the bodies inability to produce any or enough insulin causes elevated levels of glucose in the blood. It can also be a group of diseases that results in too much sugar in the blood.

There are four common types of diabetes, Type 1, Gestational, Prediabetes, and Type 2. In Type 1 diabetes, there is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little to no insulin. In Type 2 Diabetes, there is a chronic condition that affects the way the body produces glucose or blood sugar. Gestational diabetes is a form of high blood sugar affecting pregnant women. While, pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar is high, but not high enough to be Type 2 Diabetes.

There are many treatments for diabetes, in Type 2 diabetes you must revert your everyday lifestyle into a healthier one. Insulin therapy is used to help maintain blood sugar. The pre-diabetes treatment involves weight loss and several medications. Although there are no treatments for Type 1 diabetes some generous people donate half of their pancreas to provide a new source for insulin. There are also treatments such as, maintaining blood sugar levels, insulin therapy, and dieting. Gestational’s treatment includes daily blood sugar monitoring, monitoring your baby while pregnant, and medication.

In 2012, 29.1 million Americans has diabetes which is almost 10% of the population. About 208,000 Americans under the age of 20 are estimated to be diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes have many affects on people including some of our owns Lake Ridge Eagles. In our recent interview, on our broadcast channel we asked a fellow student questions about their journey with diabetes. To support diabetes you can wear purple and participate in your local Research Parade.