National Diabetes Month: Get Tested
All teens who are overweight, eat too much sugar, or have diabetes in their family should get a test for diabetes. The test is simple, doesn’t hurt, and if cost is an issue, many community clinics and even health fairs may offer testing for free or at very low cost.
Why do we want you to know about diabetes? Because teenagers can get diabetes and in fact, more and more teens are getting diabetes every day! This is a very serious problem because depending on the kind of diabetes and how bad it is, a teen can become blind, have kidney disease, heart problems, high blood pressure, and depression. Diabetes can also cause problems in pregnancy.
The number of teens having diabetes is going up for the same reason it is increasing in adults. Being overweight, not eating healthy and not exercising enough are the most common reasons for getting diabetes.
The good news? Diabetes can be prevented! And even if someone has it, the person can live a long healthy and happy life if a good health program is followed.
If you have or know of someone who has diabetes, there is a lot to learn to help yourself . There is also a lot you can learn to help family members and friends who have diabetes.. There is even a website teens can use to chat with other teens who have diabetes. Check it out now!
TeenSource.org is funded in part by the Federal Office of Population Affairs, Title X grant and the California Wellness Foundation.
Additional money has been provided by the California Endowment and the American Civil Liberties Union.
