November is American Diabetes Month. In a recent report, there are an estimated 30.3 million Americans with Diabetes, which is 9.4% of the population. Of the 30.3 million Americans with Diabetes, there are 23.1 million diagnosed and 7.2 million were not diagnosed. Each year 1.5 million people are diagnosed. Diabetes remains the 7th leading cause of death in the United States.

These staggering numbers become even larger when you consider the relationship of diabetes with heart disease. Diabetes puts people at increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is vital to your health because it's an important source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues. It's also your brain's main source of fuel.

The underlying cause of diabetes varies by type. But, no matter what type of diabetes you have, it can lead to excess sugar in your blood. Too much sugar in your blood can lead to serious health problems.

Chronic diabetes conditions include type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Potentially reversible diabetes conditions include pre-diabetes — when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes — and gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy but may resolve after the baby is delivered.

Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, though it often appears during childhood or adolescence. Type 2 diabetes, the more common type, can develop at any age, though it's more common in people older than 40.

Early signs of diabetes is:

· Increased thirst.

· Increased hunger (especially after eating)

· Dry mouth.

· Frequent urination or urine infections.

· Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry)

· Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)

· Blurred vision.

· Headaches.

It is vital to prevent diabetes by following the following tips:

· Lose excess body fat. Being overweight is a big risk factor for diabetes.

· Follow a plant-based, low-calorie diet. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables—a dietary pattern studies show reduces diabetes risk