Have you found yourself fatigued and thirsty lately? It could mean nothing or it could mean you are suffering from a disease affecting 3.2 million (13.3 percent) African-Americans, age 20 years or older know as diabetes.

Nearly 21 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, up from 18.2 million since last estimates in 2003 according to American Diabetes Association. Before it’s too late, here’s a list of symptoms to look for:

Visit your doctor if you are:
• Thirsty.
• Urinate more than usual.
• Feeling more hungry than usual.

Other signs of type 2 diabetes may include:
• Lots of infections and cuts and bruises that heal slowly.
• Blurred vision.
• Tingling or numbness in your hands or feet.
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What Is Diabetes?
When I was kid I heard my grandparents refer to diabetes as “sugar,” which is the underlying cause of the illness. This disease that 1 in 4 African-American women over 55 years-old have is caused by an above normal level of blood glucose (sugar), which our body produces from the food we digest for energy. Our pancreas makes a hormone called insulin to help the glucose get into the cells of our bodies. But when you have diabetes, your body isn’t making enough insulin or isn’t using its own insulin like it should, which causes sugar to build up in your blood.

Treatment
Changing your diet and exercise is the first thing you want to do if you’ve been recently diagnosed with diabetes. A high in fiber (found in fruits and vegetables) diet can help you control your glucose levels. Exercise can lower the risk of further health complications such as blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, leg ulcers and stroke. Medical treatment varies, depending on the type of diabetes and other medical problems you have.

To learn more about diabetes, visit American Diabetes Association website www.diabetes.org.