What is Diabetes?

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting
from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both.
Diabetes can lead to serious complications and premature death, but people
with diabetes can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that has NO cure.
There are an estimated 20.8 million children and adults in the United States,
or 7.0% of the population, who have diabetes.
While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 6.2 million
people are not aware that they have this disease.
At least 54 million people have prediabetes.
If the present trends continue, one in three Americans, and 1 in 2 minorities,
born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime.
Each day, approximately 4,110 people are diagnosed with diabetes.
In 2005- 1.5 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in people age 20 or older.

The Dangerous Toll of Diabetes-
Diabetes is the fifth-deadliest disease in the United States.
Since 1987 the death toll rate due to diabetes has increased by 45 percent, while
the death rates due to heart disease, stroke, and cancer have declined.

Based on death certificate data, diabetes contributed to 224,092 deaths in 2002.

Studies indicate that diabetes is generally under-reported on death certificates,
particularly in the cases of older persons with multiples chronic conditions such
as heart disease and hypertension.

Because of this, the toll of diabetes is believed to be much higher than
officially reported.

Many people first become aware that they have diabetes when they develop one of its serious and life-threatening complications such as:
~ Heart Disease and Stroke, High Blood Pressure, Blindness, Kidney Disease, Nervous System Damage,
Amputations, Dental Disease, Pregnancy Complications, Sexual Dysfunction and Others.


Who is at Greater Risk for Type 1 Diabetes?

• Siblings of people with Type 1 Diabetes
• Children of parents with Type 1 Diabetes

Who is at Greater Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?
• People with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and or impaired fasting glucose (IFG)
• People over age 45
• People with a family history of diabetes
• People who are overweight
• People who do not exercise regularly
• People with low HDL cholesterol or high triglycerides’, high blood pressure
• Certain racial and ethnic groups (e.g.), Non-Hispanics/Latino Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and American Indians and Alaska Natives)
• Women who had gestational diabetes, or who have had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth.

Warning Signs of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes:
• Frequent Urination
• Unusual Thirst
• Extreme Hunger
• Unusual Weight Loss
• Extreme Fatigue
• Irritability
Type 2 Diabetes
• Any type of the Type 1 Symptoms
• Frequent Infections
• Blurred Vision
• Cuts/Bruises that are slow to Heal
• Tingling/Numbness in the hands or feet
• Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections
• Often People with Type 2 Diabetes have NO Symptoms

Treating Diabetes-

To survive, people with Type 1 Diabetes must have Insulin delivered by injection or the pump.
• Many people with Type 2 Diabetes can control their Blood Glucose by following a Healthy Meal Plan and Exercise program, losing excess weight, and taking medication.
• Many people with Diabetes also need to take medications to control their cholesterol and blood pressure.
• Diabetes self-management education (DMSE) is an integral component of medical care.
• Among adults with diagnosed diabetes, 16% take only insulin daily, 12% take BOTH insulin and oral medication, 57% take oral medication only, and 15% do not take either insulin or oral medications

For more information in English or Spanish, contact the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383), or visit their website: www.diabetes.org