November 1st marks the start of National Diabetes Awareness Month. The American Diabetes Association reports that annually, more deaths are caused by diabetes than breast cancer and AIDS combined.

There are three types of diabetes, type 1, type 2 and gestational. Gestational diabetes only affects pregnant women and can cause high blood pressure that can potentially harm the unborn child. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. Only five percent of people with diabetes have type 1.

The most common form of diabetes is Type 2. This type is characterized by an issue within the body that causes blood glucose levels to rise higher than normal, causing the body to not use insulin properly. Continue reading →