Acupuncture for Diabetes
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, November is National Diabetes Month.
World Diabetes Day is November 14th.
We have decided to dedicate November’s blog to the 30 million American’s living with diabetes. By educating and bringing awareness we can help ourselves and others!
Every year, National Diabetes Month is recognized in an effort to bring attention to diabetes awareness and prevention. This year, the Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
They will be bringing further attention to the link between diabetes and cardiovascular health.
Tens of millions of Americans suffer from diabetes. Likewise, nearly one hundred million are at risk. Odds are, we all know someone who fits in one of these categories. Read more to learn how acupuncture could help!
Quick Statistics
Diabetes is a disease which occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin. This prevents blood glucose from reaching your cells and producing energy. Many health issues can arise from this overtime.
Type I vs Type II
Type I diabetes is much less common than it’s counterpart. In fact, type I makes up only about 5% of the total instances of diabetes in the US. It is most common in children and young adults. It is caused when your immune system wrongfully attacks your pancreas. The body then is left entirely unable to produce insulin.
Many people with Type I diabetes must take insulin everyday of their lives to remain alive. The symptoms can be serious and intense. These include being excessively tired, having blurry vision, losing weight, urinating more frequently, and excessive hunger.
Type II diabetes is the most common type. Unlike type I, this form is more common in middle-aged and older folks, specifically those who are over 45, have a family history of the disease, or are overweight. Failure to remain physically active or high blood pressure also increase your risk of developing type II diabetes.
Symptoms of Type II are similar to the former, but also can include numbness or tingling in the feet and hands and sores that won’t heal.
Acupuncture for Diabetes Treatment
Since it is very likely that you or someone you know suffers from diabetes or prediabetes, you are probably aware of how the symptoms can effect a person’s quality of life. If left untreated, the consequences can include severe illness and even death.
However, what you may not know is how acupuncture can help.
Acupuncture has been used as a tool to help treat and manage type I and II diabetes for centuries. Acupuncture releases endorphins, which reduces pain and stimulates the endocrine system. Researcher’s also believe it may help regulate blood sugar levels by bringing balance to the body.
Acupuncture also speeds up slowed digestion caused by high glucose levels in the blood. Additionally, diabetic neuropathy can be effectively prevented by acupuncture, which is basically nerve damage caused by diabetes.
Furthermore, there is information that suggests acupuncture is effective in preventing and treating prediabetes.
Is diabetes pain negatively impacting your life? Don’t wait until it’s too late. Acupuncture could help!
