You Won't Believe How This Raymondville Woman Beat Type 2 Diabetes—Her Shocking Transformation Revealed!

A Raymondville woman is taking proactive steps to manage her type 2 diabetes, a condition she was diagnosed with later in life. Guadalupe Moreno, whose family has a history of diabetes, recalls her late mother advising her to get checked after noticing the signs. “I started to feel tired and sleepy. I didn’t have much energy to do things, and I was always thirsty,” Moreno shared, reflecting on her initial symptoms.

Despite her mother's concerns, it took Moreno a year to visit a doctor, and her mother's suspicions were confirmed: she was indeed diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. “It’s been tough changing my habits,” Moreno admitted, underscoring the challenges many face when adapting to a new lifestyle. Now, she is meticulous about her diet, opting to steam her food instead of using oils.

This personal battle is not isolated. Moises Arjona, who runs Unidos Contra La Diabetes (United Against Diabetes), addressed the broader community issue during a health fair in Raymondville. “We have an unhealthy relationship with food,” he stated, highlighting a troubling trend that has escalated over the years. Recent data collected from local clinics across the Rio Grande Valley shows that the percentage of adults diagnosed with diabetes has risen from over 20% in 2014 to more than 30% in 2023. This alarming statistic parallels an increase in obesity rates in the region.

The data reveals that the obesity rate among patients in the Valley skyrocketed from approximately 14% in 2014 to nearly half of all patients by 2023. Arjona raises a critical concern about the future of the youth in the area, stating, “What’s going to happen when they’re 18? They’re going to be full-blown type 2.”

In response to these daunting statistics, Arjona's organization is dedicated to providing resources that empower individuals to take control of their health. These include guidance on healthy eating, maintaining an active lifestyle, and tracking progress. Moreno utilizes these tools daily, motivated by the desire to avoid severe complications that can arise from diabetes, such as amputations due to infected wounds from nerve damage. “Controlling my diabetes is worth the effort,” she affirmed, expressing her hope to live long enough to enjoy time with her grandchildren.

This April, CHANNEL 5 NEWS will focus on diabetes prevention and treatment, offering a comprehensive view of the ongoing diabetes epidemic in the Rio Grande Valley. Local partnerships, including support from H-E-B and South Texas Health Systems, will provide free diabetes screenings throughout the month of April, aiming to catch more cases early. Interested individuals can check the calendar for times and locations of these screenings.

The initiative, sponsored by Prime Health and South Texas Health System, highlights the urgent need for community awareness and education regarding diabetes management. As Moreno and the local health advocates illustrate, understanding and addressing diabetes can lead to healthier lives and reduce the risks associated with this chronic disease.

To see more about Moreno’s journey and find out more about the community’s health initiatives, be sure to watch the full report on CHANNEL 5 NEWS.