Diabetes Facts
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:
- Slow-healing sores or cuts
- Itching of the skin (usually in the vaginal or groin area)
- Yeast infections
- Recent weight gain
For more information check :Diabetes Mellitus
Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus
Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus
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