Diabetes is a disease that causes greater than normal fasting blood glucose (blood sugar when you have not eaten for at least 8 hours) levels as a result of the body’s inability to make or effectively use its own insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is made by special islets cells in the pancreas and it facilitates the glucose in your blood to get into your cells to be used for energy. The hormone glucagon also works with insulin to control blood glucose levels. Common Types of Diabetes Type 1 • The body does not make insulin • Immune system attacks and destroys the islet cells that make insulin which decreases the pancreas production of insulin • Diagnosed in children or young adults • Type 1 diabetics are required to take insulin every day to live Type 2 • Affects the way the body processes sugar • Body does not make or use insulin efficiently. Cells in the body become insulin resistant. • Patients can develop Type 2 diabetes at any time (childhood or adult) • Most common type of diabetes Gestational • Can develop in pregnant women • Usually goes away after the baby is born • Indicator for developing Type 2 diabetes later in life High Risk Ethnicity African American, Hispanic/Latino American Indian Asian American, and Pacific Islander populations. In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled as the American population has aged and become more overweight or obese. Symptoms for Type 2 diabetes may develop slowly over a period of several years and may be mild or nonexistent until damage to the organs occur.
Gestational • Can develop in pregnant women • Usually goes away after the baby is born • Indicator for developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. Management of Type 2 Diabetes Management includes lifestyle changes such as lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol, quitting smoking and losing weight as well as taking your prescribed medications and actively working with your healthcare team to create a diabetes plan that is effective for you. There are many oral medications or injectable forms of insulin that may be required to control your blood sugar. Your doctor can determine your blood sugar control by monitoring your hemoglobin A1C. Lowering your probability of developing type 2 Diabetes Research conducted by the National Institutes of Health under the Diabetes Prevention Program has shown that you can lower your risk of developing diabetes by: Losing weight and keeping it off (if you are overweight) Doing at least 30 minutes of physical activity a minimum of five (5) days a week Eating healthy food Diabetes – The Facts 1. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States 2. Over 30 million people in the United States have diabetes, 25% of those are unaware that they have it. 3. Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90% – 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes 4. Medical costs and lost work due to diabetes total over $325 billion/year Information courtesy of Physical & Mental Health Committee chaired by Dr. Tanya Randall. Click the link below to take the diabetes risk assessment.