“The facts:

Ø 23.6 million people have diabetes.
Ø 17.9 million people have been diagnosed while 5.7 million people have not been diagnosed.
Ø Heart disease and stroke account for 65% of the deaths in people who have diabetes.
Ø The risk for stroke and death from heart disease is 2 to 4 times higher among people with diabetes.
Ø Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, accounting for 44% of new cases in the year 2005.
Ø In 2005, 46,739 people who have diabetes began treatment for end-stage renal disease.
Ø More than 60% of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes.
Ø Just in 2004 alone, 71,000 non-traumatic lower-limb amputations were performed in people with diabetes.
Ø Diabetic retinopathy causes 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."

What is Diabetes? Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not construct or accurately use insulin. “Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy that is 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 4 different types of diabetes. They are: Type 1, Type 2, Gestational, and Pre-diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is the result from the body’s failure to produce insulin. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans have this type of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in children and young adults. It was previously known as juvenile diabetes.

Type 2 is the result from insulin resistance. (A condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin.) Most Americans who have been diagnosed have this type of diabetes. "It is often managed by increasing exercise and dietary modification, although medications and insulin are often needed, especially as the disease progresses. Type 2 diabetes is seen primarily in adults over age 40, in contrast to type 1 diabetes, it is now increasingly seen in children and adolescents, an increase linked to the rising rates of obesity,"

Gestational diabetes is a condition in which women who have not been previously diagnosed with diabetes show high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes generally has few symptoms and is commonly diagnosed by screening during women's pregnancy. These screenings detect high levels of glucose in blood tests. "No specific cause has been identified, but it is believed that the hormones produced during pregnancy reduce a woman's sensitivity to insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels."

Pre-diabetes has been found to be in people who developed type 2 diabetes. "Their blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. There are approximately 57 million people in the United States who have pre-diabetes. Recent research has shown that some long-term damage to the body, especially the heart and circulatory system, may already be occurring during pre-diabetes."

Are there any symptoms? Yes. Because diabetes often goes undetected, the symptoms seem harmless. “These symptoms include: frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability, and blurry vision.” If you believe you have one or more of these symptoms, please consult your physician for further information or diagnosis.


How do you prevent diabetes? Prevention is proven. Prevention is possible. “Studies show that people who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes can prevent or at least delay the disease by losing 5% to 7 % of their body weight.” All you need to do is eat healthier and exercise at least 30 minutes - 5 days a week. For those people who have already been diagnosed, follow your physician’s orders and be checked on a regular basis.

Source: American Diabetes Association