Almost everyone knows someone who has diabetes. Almost 7% of the population in US have diabetes, a serious, lifelong condition. In 2005, about 1.5 million people aged 20 or older were diagnosed with diabetes. Most of these cases are a direct result of poor eating habits, higher body weight, and lack of exercise.
Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism—caused by lack of insulin or insulin resistance. Most of the food we eat is broken down into glucose, simple sugar in the blood. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body.
After digestion, glucose passes into the bloodstream, where it is used by cells for growth and energy. For glucose to get into cells, insulin must be present. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach. When we eat, the pancreas automatically produces the right amount of insulin to move glucose from blood into our cells.
After digestion, glucose passes into the bloodstream, where it is used by cells for growth and energy. For glucose to get into cells, insulin must be present. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach. When we eat, the pancreas automatically produces the right amount of insulin to move glucose from blood into our cells.
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In people with diabetes, however, the pancreas either produces little or no insulin, or the cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced. Glucose builds up in the blood, overflows into the urine, and passes out of the body in the urine. Thus, the body loses its main source of fuel even though the blood contains large amounts of glucose.
What are Types of Diabetes?
Type 1 - insulin dependent diabetes, where there is a lack of insulin production by the pancreas and needs treatment by insulin injections to stay alive. It is an autoimmune disease most often occurs in children and young adults.
Type 2 – diabetes, where the body is still producing insulin but either not enough and or the body is resistant to it. It is more common than type 1 diabetes.
Gestational –diabetes is caused by the hormones of pregnancy or a shortage of insulin. Women with gestational diabetes may not experience any symptoms.
Who Is At Greater Risk Diabetes?
Type 1:
Type 1:
Siblings of people with type 1 diabetes.
Children of parents with type 1 diabetes.
Children of parents with type 1 diabetes.
Type 2:
People with a family history of diabetes.
People who are overweight.
People who do not exercise regularly.
Women who have had a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds at birth.
Of these factors the most significant factor is Obesity. There is a direct relationship between the degree of obesity and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and this holds true in children as well as adults. It is estimated that the chance to develop diabetes doubles for every 20% increase over desirable body weight.
What are the risks associated with Diabetes?
Diabetes is associated with long-term complications that affect almost every part of the body. Because a person with diabetes may not process fat properly, there tends to be damage to the blood vessels in the body, which increases the chances for high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. Diabetes can also have long-term effects on the eyes, because tiny blood vessels in the retina* become weakened. If these blood vessels burst, they can cause bleeding and scarring in the eye, or even blindness. The chance of nerve damage, and of developing kidney disease, is also increased in a person with diabetes. Finally, foot health can become an issue for people with diabetes, because the condition can affect circulation to the feet, small cuts or wounds can turn into serious infections without proper care. Adults with diabetes are at high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In fact, at least 65 percent of those with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.
People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care. Much of the daily care involves keeping blood glucose levels from going too low or too high. When blood glucose levels drop too low—a condition known as hypoglycemia—a person can become nervous, shaky, and confused. Judgment can be impaired, and if blood glucose falls too low, fainting can occur. A person can also become ill if blood glucose levels rise too high, a condition known as hyperglycemia.
People who are overweight.
People who do not exercise regularly.
Women who have had a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds at birth.
Of these factors the most significant factor is Obesity. There is a direct relationship between the degree of obesity and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and this holds true in children as well as adults. It is estimated that the chance to develop diabetes doubles for every 20% increase over desirable body weight.
What are the risks associated with Diabetes?
Diabetes is associated with long-term complications that affect almost every part of the body. Because a person with diabetes may not process fat properly, there tends to be damage to the blood vessels in the body, which increases the chances for high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. Diabetes can also have long-term effects on the eyes, because tiny blood vessels in the retina* become weakened. If these blood vessels burst, they can cause bleeding and scarring in the eye, or even blindness. The chance of nerve damage, and of developing kidney disease, is also increased in a person with diabetes. Finally, foot health can become an issue for people with diabetes, because the condition can affect circulation to the feet, small cuts or wounds can turn into serious infections without proper care. Adults with diabetes are at high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In fact, at least 65 percent of those with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.
People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care. Much of the daily care involves keeping blood glucose levels from going too low or too high. When blood glucose levels drop too low—a condition known as hypoglycemia—a person can become nervous, shaky, and confused. Judgment can be impaired, and if blood glucose falls too low, fainting can occur. A person can also become ill if blood glucose levels rise too high, a condition known as hyperglycemia.
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