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Basic 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.
Approximately 17 million people in the United States, or 6.2% of the
population, have diabetes. While an estimated 11.1 million have
been diagnosed, unfortunately, 5.9 million people (or one-third) are
unaware that they have the disease.
There are three 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.
There are an estimated 850,000 to 1.7 million people - or 5-10%
of the population - with type 1 diabetes.
- Type
2 diabetes - Results from insulin resistance
(a condition in which the body fails to make enough or properly use
insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency.
Approximately 90-95% (16 million) have type 2 diabetes.
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. It is estimated
that at least 16 million Americans have pre-diabetes, in addition to
the 17 million with diabetes.
-
Gestational
diabetes - Gestational
diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women - about 135,000
cases in the United States each year.
Additional information
Facts
and Figures
With so many people affected by diabetes, the American Diabetes
Association has compiled statistics on the impact of diabetes and its
complications.
Newly
Diagnosed
You've just been diagnosed with diabetes. What does
it mean?
Complications
Diabetes can affect many parts of your body, including your heart, eyes,
feet, and kidneys.
Diabetes
Dictionary
Here you can find a list of diabetes-related terms and their definitions.
Groups
Affected by Diabetes
Diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans,
Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged population.
Risk Test
Seventeen million Americans have diabetes - one in three
does not know it! Take our test to see if you are at risk for
having diabetes. Also, you can click here
for the signs and symptoms of diabetes.
Clinical
Trials
Before a new drug or new
treatment is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) it
must be shown to be both safe and effective through clinical trials -
carefully controlled studies designed to test and evaluate new drugs and
new treatment plans.
Type
1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults and was
previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does
not produce insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use
sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin
takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When sugar builds up in the
blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems:
- Right away, your cells may be starved for energy.
- Over time, high blood sugar levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys,
nerves or heart.
Finding out you have diabetes is scary. But don't panic! Sure, diabetes is
serious. But people with diabetes can live long, healthy, happy lives. You
can too by taking good care of yourself.
Insulin - Why Don't I Have Enough?
The pancreas, an organ near your stomach, produces insulin. The
pancreas contains cells called beta cells. Beta cells have a vital job:
They make insulin, a hormone that helps cells take in the sugar they need.
Sometimes, the beta cells get wiped out and cannot produce insulin
anymore.
Many things might have killed your beta cells, but in most people with
type 1 diabetes, the immune system makes a mistake. Cells that normally
protect you from germs attack your beta cells instead. The beta cells die.
Without beta cells, you make no insulin. Sugar builds up in your blood,
and you get diabetes.
Taking Care Of Your Diabetes
Many people with type 1 diabetes live long, healthy lives. The key is
keeping your blood sugar levels within your target range, which can be
done with meal planning, exercise and insulin. You will also need to check
your blood sugar levels regularly. To check your blood sugar, you need a
drop of blood. Place the drop on a special test strip. A device called a
glucose meter tells how much glucose the drop of blood contains. Your
health care provider will tell you how often to check your blood sugar
level.
What Can Go Wrong
Diabetes can cause three types of problems:
The best defense against complications is taking good care of your
diabetes. Keeping your blood sugar levels near the normal range will make
you feel better now. And it will help you stay healthy in the future. Read
more about these possible complications in the sections on the left.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2
diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells
ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to
use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and
insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose
builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two
problems:
- Right away, your cells may be starved for energy.
- Over time, high blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes,
kidneys, nerves or heart.
Finding out you have diabetes is scary. But don't panic!
Diabetes is serious, but people with diabetes can live long, healthy,
happy lives. You can too by taking good care of yourself.
Is It Curable?
In people with type 2 diabetes, glucose (sugar) builds up in the blood.
But with treatment, your blood glucose levels may go down to normal
again. But this does not mean you are cured. Instead, a blood
glucose level in your target range shows that your treatment plan is
working and that you are taking care of your diabetes.
Taking Care Of Your Diabetes
The goal of treatment is to lower your blood glucose and improve
your body's use of insulin with:
Meal planning and getting regular exercise can help your body maintain
healthy blood glucose levels. If you're overweight, losing
weight can be another big part of your diabetes treatment. It will
help your body use insulin better. The best way to lose weight is to
exercise and follow a meal plan. With a weight loss meal plan, you
will eat fewer calories. Decide with your health care provider how
much to lose. Sometimes, just 10 or 20 pounds is enough to bring
diabetes under control. Read more about meal planning and exercise
in Healthy
Living .
Checking Your Blood Glucose
In addition to eating healthy, losing weight and keeping fit, check
your blood glucose levels at home to keep track of how you're doing.
To check your blood glucose, you need a drop of blood. Place the
drop on a special test strip. A device called a glucose meter
measures sugar in the drop of blood.
Your health care provider will tell you how often to check your blood
glucose. Write down each result, along with the time and date.
You will soon learn how well your treatment plan is working, and you will
learn how exercise and food affects you.
A Back-Up Plan
Sometimes, using a meal plan, losing weight and being active are not
enough. In addition, your doctor may have you take diabetes pills,
insulin shots or both.
Your doctor will probably try you on diabetes pills first. But
sometimes pills don't work. Or they work at first and then stop.
When this happens, your doctor may have you take both pills and insulin,
or maybe just insulin alone. Your doctor will tell you what kind of
insulin to take, how much and when. Read more about these
medications in Medical
Information .
What Can Go Wrong
Diabetes can cause three types of problems:
The best defense against complications is taking care of your diabetes.
Keeping your blood glucose levels near the normal range will make you
feel better now. And it will help you stay healthy in the future.
Read more about the possible complications
of diabetes.
Diabetes can be a frustrating and life-altering disease, but the
American Diabetes Association has resources that can help.
Getting involved in advocacy,
volunteering
your time or participating in a support group can give you a sense of
control and allow you to share with others. In this section, you will find
resources for support and information, including our list of recognized
specialists who treat diabetes.
Community Campaign for Diabetes & Campaign
for a Cure
In June 2002, President George W. Bush, along with Secretary of Health
& Human Services Tommy Thompson, echoed the American Diabetes
Association's position that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important
in the fight against diabetes.
Diabetes can cause major health problems. However, you can have a
positive influence on your blood glucose and your overall health by
choosing foods wisely, exercising regularly, reducing your stress level,
and making modest lifestyle changes.
When it comes to your health, even little steps can make a big
difference. Let the American Diabetes Association help you get
started.
Nutrition
People with diabetes have the same nutritional needs as anyone
else. Along with exercise and medications (insulin or oral diabetes
pills), nutrition is important for good diabetes control. By eating
well-balanced meals in the correct amounts, you can keep your blood
glucose level as close to normal (non-diabetes level) as possible.
Virtual
Grocery Store
Take a tour of the Association's Virtual Grocery
Store. This will provide you with information on products useful
to people with diabetes.
Exercise
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single
step. Exercise works the same way. Taking that first step can
be hard, especially if you've been diagnosed with diabetes. Remember
- it's never too late. You can always improve your level of fitness.
Weight
Loss
How you eat may be just as important as what you eat. People with
diabetes hear a lot about the importance of dieting. Obesity
increases insulin resistance and contributes to many health problems,
including heart and blood vessel disease.
Stress
Stress results when something causes your body
to behave as if it were under attack. Sources of stress can be
physical or mental. When stress occurs, the body responds by making
stored energy - glucose and fat - available to cells. In people with
diabetes, the response does not work well, as insulin is not always able
to let the extra energy into the cells.
Taking
Care of Your Body
Make it a priority to take good care of your
body. The time you spend now on oral health, skin care, foot care,
eye care, and heart health could delay or prevent the onset of dangerous
diabetes complications later in life. And, one of the best things anyone
can do for his or her body is to stop smoking.
Tools
Recipe
of the Day
If you're a person with diabetes, or a caregiver for
someone with diabetes, you'll want to link here to learn easy, flavorful and
healthy options for all your meals.
Diabetes
Forecast
For practical tips on day-to-day living with diabetes and the
latest information on diabetes research, become a member and receive Diabetes
Forecast, the health and wellness magazine of the American
Diabetes Association.
Free
Diabetes E-News Now! E-newsletter
Stay informed with "Diabetes E-News Now!"
This weekly E-newsletter provides you with the latest news and events
occurring in the world of diabetes.
Tip
of the Day
Check out our Tip of the Day for helpful answers to various diabetes-related
questions.
Nutrition Guidelines
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