National Diabetes Month
Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States, affecting 71,382 families in 2007. Diabetes affects 8.3% of the U.S. population resulting 2.8 million Americans suffering from diabetes. There are 3 types of diabetes; type 1 (5% of cases), type2 (90% to 95% of cases) and gestational.
Type 1 diabetes, formally know as juvenile-onset diabetes, occurs when the only cells in the body that produce insulin, pancreatic beta cells, are destroyed. This can be due to an autoimmune disorder, genetics or environment. Insulin is required to help regulate the level of glucose in your blood. Insulin transport glucose into the cells through special receptors. Once the beta cells are destroyed your body is unable to produce insulin resulting in glucose remaining in the blood. People suffering from type 1 diabetes receive insulin from an insulin pump or insulin injections.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not use insulin properly. This can occur due to age, lifestyle, family history, and race/ethnicity. With an increase demand of insulin the pancreas eventually quits producing the insulin your body needs. Changes in lifestyle, like eating healthy and exercise, can delay and even prevent type 2 diabetes. A study preformed with the Diabetes Prevention Program monitored a group of people who had a high risk of developing diabetes. After 3 year, the participants who increased their amount of exercise and lost weight were 58% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes occurs among 2% to 10% of pregnant women. Five to ten percent of women with gestational diabetes were found to be diabetic after the pregnancy.
Symptoms of diabetes are increase thirst, hunger and urination, fatigue, blurred vision, tingling in the feet, and unexplained weight loss.
Help educate the ones you love during National Diabetes Month.
Source: CDC
Published 11/02/11
