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SOME FACTS ABOUT DIABETES

People who have Diabetes have a disease in which the body is unable to efficiently use and store glucose (a form of sugar which is converted into energy).

In Type 1 ( juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent) diabetes, the body stops producing a hormone that enables your body to use glucose found in foods for energy. The hormone is called INSULIN which is produced in the Pancreas. Type 1 diabetics must take daily insulin injections to survive. This form of diabetes usually develops in young adults and in children, but it can occur at any age. Type 2 (also named adult-onset or non insulin-dependent diabetes) occurs the body does produce some insulin but not enough to adequately convert food into energy. This form of diabetes usually occurs in individuals who have a family history of diabetes, overweight, and are aged over 40.

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes used to be named insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes. 5% to 10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.are Type 1 Diabetes.. Genetic, environmental factors, and autoimmune factors are involved in the development of this type of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes used to be known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes. About 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes are Type 2. . Risk factors for type 2 diabetes have been identified as obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, physical inactivity, older age, prior gestational Diabetes and race and ethnic groups. Hispanic/Latino, Pacific Islanders and African Americans are in the higher risk category.

2% to 5% of pregnant women pregnancies develop Gestational Diabetes, occurring more frequently in African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, individuals who are overweight and persons with a family history of diabetes. This type of Diabetes disappears at the end of Pregnancy but women who had gestational diabetes are at increased risk for later developing type 2 diabetes. In some studies, nearly 40% of women with a history of gestational diabetes developed diabetes at another stage of their lives.

Certain Genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and and other illnesses have been known to precipitate Diabetes. 1% to 2% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes are of those specific types.

SIGNS OF DIABETES
  • Certain symptoms can be signs of Diabetes . These include:
  • weight loss
  • blurred vision
  • frequent or intense thirst
  • increased hunger
  • frequent urination
  • skin infections
  • wounds that don't heal
  • unexplained extreme fatigue

Sometimes, there are no Symptoms -- this happens especially with Type 2 diabetes. which can come on so gradually that symptoms might not even be recognized for years!

Who gets diabetes?

Anyone can have Diabetes. . But those with close relatives who have the disease are much more likely to develop the disease and risk increases as people age, especially for those who are over aged over 40, overweight, African-Americans, Hispanics or Asians. Women who had Gestational Diabetes (while pregnant) are more likely to develop diabetes later in life.

Diabetes Treatment

Type 1 and Type2 Diabetics can do a lot to stay healthy. Diabetics need to pay attention to their diet(to keep a balance which maintains a stable blood-sugar level) and activity (exercise can assist the process of using insulin to convert glucose into energy). People who have Type 1 Diabetes and sometimes even some people who have Type 2 Diabetes, need to take Insulin. Type 2 Diabetics may take medication which helps the body produce or use the Insulin it may produce. Also, Type 2 Diabetics are often succesful at managing their disease through diet, weight loss and exercise alone and sometimes medication is not necessary.

Diabetics should consult with a diabetes specialist ( an endocrinologist) every six months. A diabetes treatment team, including a Nurse Educator and a Diabetes Dietitian educator (helps develop a meal plan that works best for the individual) An exercise therapist can help in developing an exercise routine. For help with the stresses and issues of living with a chronic disease, Psychologists, Social Workers and other Menhtal health Professionals are recommended. All Diabetics should have annual eye exams to ensure that any eye problems associated with diabetes are diagnosed early and treated before they may become serious.

Diabetics must know how to monitor their own blood sugar levels using home blood sugar monitoring at home daily. A Diabetes Educator can teach the effectiveness of using monitoring devices, food plans, exercise and medication schedules to keep blood-sugars within normal ranges.

Other Problems which Diabetes can Cause:

Poorly managed diabetes can lead to a variety of long-term complications -- among them are male-impotence, kidney failure, blindness, heart attacks and diseases of the blood-vessels which could require amputations,

If people who have Diabetes can manage keep their blood sugars as close to normal as possible, they can reduce their risk of developing complications by 50 percent or more. Recent Nationwide studies have proved this.

Diabetes Prevention

Another study ( Joslin Diabetes Center and conducted at several other sites nationwide) is screening the immediate relatives Type 1 Diabetes so that we can identify people who will develop this form of Diabetes as much as five or more years in advance.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes not yet fully understood, but recent research does suggest that there might be a few ways to prevent this form of diabetes,(Changes in Life-style, exercise and weight loss) particularly if there is family history, or a history of gestational diabetes, or of African-American, Native American, Hispanic-American ethnicity.