There are three main types of diabetes which you can potentially be at risk for. The first is Type 1 Diabetes, where your body does not make any insulin. The second is Type 2, where your body does not make enough insulin. Both kinds of diabetes share many of the same symptoms, including:
Mood swings or irritability
The third type of diabetes, Gestational Diabetes, develops during pregnancy and usually disappears soon after delivery. The symptoms for this type of diabetes tend to be more subtle, and can easily be confused with symptoms of pregnancy. Some of the more common symptoms of this type of diabetes include increased thirst and fatigue. Pregnant women should faithfully follow a prenatal care routine, which should include a glucose screening test to detect gestational diabetes.
As always, if you think you might have diabetes, contact your doctor for testing. Visit the following links to read more about each type of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes – WebMD
Type 2 Diabetes – WebMD
Gestational diabetes - Natl. Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Interested in ways you can get support locally? Read more about the local diabetes support group and St. Joseph’s Dealing With Diabetes Class, below:
Diabetes Support Group:
Taking your medication properly. Planning your meals. Caring for your body – especially your feet. A lot of energy, planning and time is required to care for yourself or someone else with diabetes. It’s easy to feel bogged down with the responsibilities and let them slip away. That’s why the Brazos Valley Diabetes Support Group places so much emphasis on motivation.
“A lot of our presentations are motivational to help keep people inspired to care for themselves properly,” says Carolyn Reese, group facilitator.
The group meets monthly, with speakers discussing topics varying between nutrition, meal planning, medication, general care and more. The topic for the December meeting is “holiday meal planning” to help those who deal with the illness conquer the holidays without sacrificing their good health.
The meetings are held at the St. Joseph Regional Health Center Education Annex, located on 29th street, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month. Everyone is welcome, from those who suffer from the disease themselves to those who care for others with diabetes.
Contact Carolyn Reese at 209-7510 for more information.
Dealing With Diabetes Class
If you or a loved one suffer from diabetes, you can learn some valuable tips through St. Joseph Regional Health Center’s Dealing With Diabetes Class. Topics include anatomy and physiology, medications and equipment, exercise, skin and foot care, long-term complications, working with a diet and more.
The class is $20 per couple, and scholarships are available for those with financial difficulties. All of the classes are held in the St. Joseph Education Center (hospital basement) from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Class dates include:
January 10
February 28
May 22
July 10
September 4
November 13
Registration is required; call Holly Narro in Education Services at (979) 776-4932.
Want to know more? Here are some links that may be helpful:
American Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.org/homepage.jsp
WebMD – general info.
http://my.webmd.com/medical_information/condition_centers/diabetes_1_2/default.htm
Diabetes and Symptoms
http://www.diabetes-and-symptoms.com/index.php3
Center For Disease Control FAQs
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/faqs.htm
