The prevalence of Diabetes in America got a lot of attention during the pandemic. It was frequently cited as one of the main underlying conditions that led to serious health issues for coronavirus patients. Even though the condition has gotten a lot of shine recently, many Americans have been living with diabetes for years.

Learning about diabetes is one of the best things you can do for the possibility someone in your family or social circle becomes diabetic. You’ll be able to help out when needed and open yourself up to some of the challenges so many people in our country face. Here are six things you should know about diabetes.

Prediabetes Is a Real Thing

According to medical experts, up to a third of Americans are pre-diabetic. That means that they are in poor health or carrying too much weight. As a result, they are overloading their pancreas and could become diabetic. Most people who are pre-diabetic don’t know because they can still live a relatively normal life. However, the majority of pre-diabetic people will eventually go on to develop full-fledged diabetes.

Diabetes Isn’t Always Tied to Being Overweight

While it’s true that obesity is a precursor for type-2 diabetes, you don’t have to be obese to get diabetes. Type-1 diabetes occurs in people who experience a sudden shut down in their pancreas function. They become lethargic more easily, have to urinate often, and exhibit other symptoms of diabetes. These cases can be hard to catch and should be treated with care as quickly as possible.

Losing Weight Helps Tremendously

Losing as little as 10 pounds can remove much of the risk of becoming diabetic. If you’re obese or overweight at a doctor has told you that you’re at risk of diabetes, then you should take action now to correct the course. Change up your diet and start exercising to fight off the condition. You’ll feel better about yourself and take a lot of health risk off of the table.

Blood Tests are the Best Way to Know Diabetes Risk

If you are worried about whether you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, then speak to a doctor about a blood test. They’ll be able to measure your hormone and sugar levels in your blood to see whether there is a cause for concern. If there are any red flags, a physician can work with you on a treatment plan that works for you.

Ipamorelin and Diabetes

Ipamorelin is a peptide that, in clinical tests done on rats, showed promising results when it came to insulin release. Rats that were given Ipamorelin exhibited an increase in pancreatic function, likely the result of stimulation to the calcium channel on pancreatic islet cells. That’s where insulin is produced and stored. This peptide is not yet FDA approved for human use. There is more research that needs to be done but has promising future medical possibilities.

There Is No Cure

Once you become diabetic, there is often no going back. Losing a tremendous amount of weight sometimes helps people come off of medications associated with the condition, but once your pancreas stops working, there is no “on” switch. Most diabetics will have to deal with the condition for the rest of their lives. While there have been some amazing medical advances around blood sugar monitors and insulin pumps, there is still a long way to go.

These are just some of the basic facts on diabetes. Education is the key to managing the condition and helping people you love avoid emergencies and other medical concerns. If you know someone with diabetes, talk to them to find out how it’s affected their lives and what you can do to support them. If you’re worried about whether you have diabetes, talk to a medical professional as soon as possible.