Diabetes Information

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

There are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes.

Major Types of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes
Results from the body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that "unlocks" the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes
Results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency. Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women - about 135,000 cases in the United States each year.

Pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There are 54 million Americans who have pre-diabetes, in addition to the 20.8 million with diabetes

Complications from Diabetes:

Most people with diabetes have health problems such as:

  • Heart Disease and Stroke- more than 65% of people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. By managing diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, people with diabetes can reduce their risk.

  • Blindness- 12,000 to 24,000 new cases of blindness each year making diabetes the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults 20-74 years of age.

  • Kidney Disease- Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure.

  • Nervous System Disease- 60% to 70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage.

  • Amputations- The rate of amputation for people with diabetes is 10 times higher than for people without diabetes.

For more information: http://www.diabetes.org