The month of November is observed annually as Diabetes Awareness Month, which is a public health campaign geared toward placing a spotlight on the chronic disease while encouraging individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines diabetes as a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas do not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

Insulin refers to hormones that regulate blood glucose.

Diabetes is often categorised by health officials as either Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, or gestational diabetes.

According to WHO, Type 1 diabetes is characterised by deficient insulin production and requires daily administration of insulin. Type 2 diabetes prevents the body from using insulin properly, which may lead to high levels of blood sugar if not treated. Gestational diabetes occurs when the body cannot make enough insulin during pregnancy.

Locally, the 2016/2017 Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey revealed that 12 per cent of Jamaicans 15 years and older had diabetes.

The survey revealed that diabetes was most prevalent among Jamaicans 75 years and older at 42 per cent.

Additionally, 12 per cent of Jamaicans had pre-diabetes with a higher prevalence in women than men, putting them at a greater risk of developing diabetes.

Our Today has researched some of the early warning signs of diabetes that can serve as a possible indicator for individuals to visit their healthcare providers to get tested and also possibly get treatment for the chronic disease.

Symptoms

• Feeling very tired
• Having very dry skin
• Losing weight unintentionally
• Urinating frequently
• Extreme thirst
• Blurry vision
• Feeling tired

Adopting healthy lifestyle choices can help individuals to prevent the onset of diabetes.

These include regular physical activity, losing extra weight, eating healthy, avoiding sugar and saturated fat, and saying no to smoking.