It comes without symptoms, some of the time. By the time it’s full-blown, the disease can take limbs, eyesight, and general life functioning. Worst of all, it makes its way into everyday life through a substance (sugar) which is otherwise vital to life—in measured amounts—and one in three Americans are on their way to having it, sometimes without knowing. What is this dread disease? See BLOOD SUGAR Page 9 BLOOD SUGAR

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Type 2 diabetes. Taken from Greek word origins, diabetes relates to the body’s ability to process sugar, and more specifically, high blood sugar. So what are the signs that you or someone you know might be on the way? These are some of the symptoms, taken from the CDC website:

• Lots of urination

• Excessive thirst

• Losing weight without trying

• Being very hungry

• Having blurry vision

• Having a numb or tingling feeling in hands or feet

• Feeling very tired

• Having very dry skin

• Sores that heal slowly

• Having more infections than usual In addition, those at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes also include those with prediabetes, those who are overweight, those 45 and older, those with family members who have diabetes, and those who are physically active less than three times a week.

Having once had gestational diabetes or else being from certain ethnicities can also be a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. So what’s the solution?

As of yet, there is no cure, though certain things can be done to lessen one’s immediate risk. Because diabetes affects the body’s ability to process sugar, losing weight and trying to eat a healthy diet are among the two most important. Should you be experiencing symptoms, see your doctor, as he/she may also have additional information to share.

For more information in a general sense, readers may visit www.diabetes.org of call 1-800-DIABETES.

(Para la version del mismo sitio en el español, puede visitar diabetes.org/espanol. El número de teléfono para conocer mas de la infermedad se llame 1-800-DIABETES).

Pass the word, save a life.