We have probably heard our parents, teachers and family members say that if you eat too much sugar you will get Diabetes. While this is a myth, in the United States 25.8 million people suffer from Diabetes, which includes children and adults. This means that 8.3 percent of the population of the United States has Diabetes. 18.8 million people are currently diagnosed but is calculated that about 7 million more are undiagnosed. This means that Diabetes is a very serious condition that can have a life changing impact on yourself and your family.
What is Diabetes? When we eat a sugar called glucose it enters the blood stream to “fuel” our body and give it energy. Once in the bloodstream it needs a hormone produced in the pancreas called insulin to take that glucose from the bloodstream and put it in our muscles, fat and liver cells so that we can use the “fuel”. People with Diabetes have high levels of sugar because their bodies don’t make enough insulin or their cells do not respond to insulin normally.
There are 3 types of Diabetes. Diabetes type 1 can occur at any age but appears usually in children, teens and young adults. These people need daily injections of insulin. Diabetes type 2 often occurs in adulthood and is often related to obesity. Gestational Diabetes is a high blood sugar level that develops during pregnancy in a woman who normally would not have Diabetes.
The symptoms for Diabetes include Blurry vision, excess thirst, fatigue, frequent urination, hunger and weight loss. But be aware because Diabetes type 2 develops slowly, some people with high blood sugar have no symptoms, so it is estimated that over 40 million Americans have pre-diabetes (early type 2 diabetes).
So what can you do? It is very important that you visit your Medical Doctor and be tested for glucose levels. There is no cure for Diabetes. Usually the treatment involves diet, exercise and prescribed medication to control blood sugar levels. There might be support groups for the deaf within your community. Information is the best weapon against the effects of the Diabetes. That is why it is so important for you to ask for an interpreter when you visit your Doctor’s office. Make all the questions you can think of and don’t leave until you are 100% sure you understand the treatment and what you can do to feel better and be healthy.
Reviews
The Federal Communications Commission, FCC, wants the opinion of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community regarding the changes planned on the way the Video Relay Service is paid and provided. Recently, concerned about the TRS Funds usage among other issues, the FCC decided to start a reform process and is seeking people like you to guide them in the process. Even though this is under a limited time opportunity to have a say in the matter, please still make your comments today!
Cholesterol is a fat produced by the liver and it’s extremely important for normal body functioning. There are two types. The good cholesterol (HDL) prevents arterial disease and helps the body get rid of the bad cholesterol. The “Bad” cholesterol (LDL) carries the cholesterol from the liver to the cells. Sometimes too much is carried and then too much is accumulated. This increases the risk for arterial damage. It is very important to watch what we eat because it could affect our “bad” cholesterol level. Also family genetics, alcohol, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle (lying and sitting too much!) could affect our cholesterol level. High levels of “bad” cholesterol could cause a heart attack, a stroke and other heart related conditions.
On March 10th 2012 the Austin Interpreters for the Deaf and Gracias VRS are presenting the conference “Leadership: The Way to Success”. This conference will be presented by José Bertrán M.A., Psy.S a licensed psychologist and Interpreter from Puerto Rico. The event will be held at the Austin Community College Highland Business Center from 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. The workshop will help the participants discover the leader within and use those attributes or “distinctions” to move to the next level on their life. The workshop has 0.7 CEU from RID and BEI. All interpreters are invited to attend. Please contact Monica Gallego, AID vice-president at 
