Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower extremity amputations. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States

Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose or sugar that our bodies use for energy. When you have diabetes your body either doesn't make enough or can't use its own insulin as well as it should.

People may have some or none of the following symptoms:

• Extreme hunger
  
• Excessive thirst
  
• Unexplained weight loss
  
• Feeling tired much of the time
  
• Sores that are slow to heal
  
• Frequent urination
  
• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
  
• More infections that usual
  
• Very dry skin
  
• Sudden changes in vision
  

If you suspect you may have diabetes visit your healthcare provider for a complete checkup.

For more detailed information visit the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse at:
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/diabetes/ndic.htm

Need more information about Diabetes in Missouri? Click here:
www.dhss.mo.gov/CommunityDataProfiles/index.html