Diabetes Facts

• Diabetes • Sep 21, 05

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.

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. It is estimated that 5- 10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes ??“ Results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency. Approximately 90-95% (16 million) have type 2 diabetes.

Pre-diabetes ??“ 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 ??“ Affects about 4% of all pregnant women ??“ about 135,000 cases in the United States each year.

The symptoms of type 1 diabetes often occur suddenly and can be severe.

They include:

Increased thirst
Increased hunger (especially after eating)
Dry mouth
Frequent urination
Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry)
Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
Blurred vision
Numbness or tingling of the hands or feet
Loss of consciousness (rare)

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes may be the same as those listed above.
Most often, there are no symptoms or a very gradual development of the above symptoms. Other symptoms may include: