Managing and monitoring this disease is absolutely critical, but it's not easy. That's why this funding is so important. It will help community-based organizations fund projects that will raise awareness and educate families on how to detect and combat diabetes. Diabetes is a complex group of disorders that takes two main forms. Type 1 diabetes usually begins in childhood or adolescence and is the result of damage caused by the body's immune system.
Symptoms usually appear rapidly and include increased urination, hunger, thirst and fatigue.
Type 2 diabetes is more common after age 45, especially among overweight individuals. Symptoms develop slowly and may be so mild they go unnoticed for many years. As a result, complications may develop, including cardiovascular problems, kidney disease, nerve damage, and blindness. African-Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans are at increased risk for the disease and its complications. Others at risk are those who are overweight, aging, have a family history of diabetes, or do not exercise.