Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that is characterized by high blood sugar and uneven metabolism. It is caused by either a low level of insulin in the blood or a resistance to the effects of insulin. There is no known cure for diabetes, but there are several effective treatment options.

There are three main types of diabetes. They all have similar symptoms, and in each, the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to prevent hyperglycemia. However, the causes of all three types of diabetes are different.

Type 1 diabetes is most commonly diagnosed in kids and teens (it used to be called juvenile onset diabetes). In fact, it’s one of the leading chronic diseases affecting our youth. Type 1 diabetes is caused when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin. Most people who suffer from type 1 diabetes are otherwise healthy when the onset happens.

Type 2 diabetes is caused when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when the body is unable to use the insulin that’s produced. Type 2 diabetes typically develops during adulthood, and it is directly tied to obesity. Since obesity is rapidly on the rise in the United States, so are instances of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1. Between one and two million people in the United States suffer from type 1 diabetes. Far more Americans (18 to 20 million) have type 2 diabetes.

The third type of diabetes is much less rare. It’s called gestational diabetes, and it’s a temporary condition that only occurs during pregnancy.

5 Things You Need to Know

  1. Around 7 percent of Americans aged 45-65 and 11 percent of Americans over the age of 65 suffer from diabetes.
  2. Type 1 diabetics must take insulin for the rest of their lives. Type 2 diabetics have a number of different treatment options, depending on the severity of their condition. They may be prescribed drugs that introduce more insulin into the body or drugs that improve the body’s ability to benefit from insulin.
  3. Type 2 diabetics often show few, if any, symptoms. They are unaware that they have the disease until they are told by their doctor.
  4. If left untreated, all types of diabetes can cause severe damage to the body. Patients are at risk of blindness, kidney damage, nerve damage, heart disease, stroke and loss of limbs.
  5. By 2025, it’s expected that twice as many Americans will have diabetes as do today. The cost to treat these patients will be immense.

3 Questions You Need to Ask Your Doctor

  1. Am I at risk for developing diabetes?
  2. How can I change my diet and lifestyle to help reduce the risk of diabetes?
  3. What are the long-term complications associated with diabetes?

Also Known As: Diabetes mellitus

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