November is American Diabetes Month and Healthy Bladder Month

General Symptoms of Diabetes:  Increased hunger; Increased thirst; Weight Loss; Frequent Urination; Blurry Vision; Extreme fatigue, and Sores that don’t heal.

Types of Diabetes:  Type 1 – The immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.  Genes may play a role in some people.  It is also possible that a virus sets off the immune system attack.  Type 2 – Stems from a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors.  Carrying extra weight, especially in your belly, makes your cells more resistant to the effects of insulin on your blood sugar.  This condition runs in families.  Family members share genes that make them more likely to get type 2 diabetes and to be overweight.  Gestational diabetes – is the result of hormonal changes during pregnancy.  The placenta produces hormones that make a pregnant woman’s cells less sensitive to the effects of insulin.  Women who are overweight when they get pregnant or who gain too much weight during the pregnancy are more likely to get gestational diabetes.

Healthy Bladder

Did you know? Bladder Facts

• The bladder is a hollow, balloon shaped organ, and is mostly made of muscle.
• On average, the bladder holds about two cups of urine (about 16 ounces).
• When the bladder is empty it looks like a deflated balloon. The shape of a bladder changes when it fills up.
• Urine is produced in the kidneys. It flows through tubes called ureters into the bladder.
• It’s normal to go to the bathroom 4 to 8 times a day and no more than twice a night.
• Women have shorter urethras than men and are more likely to get a bladder infection as bacteria from outside the body can get into the urinary system easier.
• The bladder muscle helps you urinate by squeezing to force the urine out.