Walk with a future doctor, raise awareness of diabetes
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso along with Paso del Norte Trail to bring awareness of the impact of diabetes to the community.
El Pasoans were able to "Walk With a Future Doctor" and get information on how diabetes affects the body.
It happened at The Outlet Shoppes of El Paso in West El Paso Saturday morning.
A diabetes mural was unveiled as a reminder for the community to walk and get more exercise and stay active to manage disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes is a health condition that affects the body's ability to turn food into energy.
It is a chronic and long-lasting condition.
The human body breaks down food into glucose (sugar) and it is released into the bloodstream.
A rise in blood sugar triggers the release of insulin by the pancreas.
Insulin is responsible for letting the blood sugar into the body's cells to be converted into energy.
When the body does not make enough insulin and it is not absorbed properly the sugar remains in the bloodstream.
This over time causes many health problems such as heart disease, vision loss, kidney disease and strokes.
The CDC says there are three types of the diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 is caused by an autoimmune reaction where the body attacks itself stopping the body from making insulin. It is usually diagnosed in children, teens and young adults.
There is no current method to prevent type 1 diabetes, and those who are diagnosed need to talk insulin everyday.
Type 2 is diagnosed when the body is not able to use insulin properly and unable to keep normal blood sugar levels.
It is the most common affecting more than 37 million adults in the United States.
Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by being active, eating healthy balanced meals, and losing weight.
Gestational diabetes develops in pregnant women. This could put the expectant mother in risk for other health issues.
It usually goes away after birth, but increases the mother's risk for type 2 diabetes later in life.
