Diabetes is a growing cause of death, the diabetes community health director from John Peter Smith Hospital said Feb. 8.
Toya Norton explained the disease during the first of four classes in the Diabetes Empowerment Education Program being offered on South Campus.
Diabetes is a condition where the body doesn’t produce insulin effectively.
Five years ago, diabetes was the No. 5 leading cause of death, Norton said. However, many people have ignored the early signs of the disease, so it has now moved up to No. 4.
Some common symptoms are feeling a little down, not having the energy to do things, using the bathroom more frequently and being more thirsty than normal, Norton said.
“It is called the silent killer,” she said.
Many people who suffer from these symptoms go through life as if nothing is wrong, Norton said.
South students Katrina Castillo and Ketara Moses said they attended to learn more about diabetes and what can prevent it.
Norton said people should watch what and when they eat.
“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” she said.
Eating a healthy breakfast jump-starts the organs, which get the sugar from the food circulating through the blood. By not eating breakfast, the body will hold the excess fat because it doesn’t know when the individual will feed the body again, Norton said.
Exercise is another form of preventing diabetes. As little as walking 30 minutes a few times a week will help, she said.
This was the first year that Tina Ingram, South health services coordinator, scheduled this class.
She said she hopes more people will come out and learn about this disease.
—Felicia Scott
