What is Diabetes?
People with diabetes are unable to use the glucose in their food for energy. The glucose accumulates in the bloodstream, where it can damage the heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves. Left untreated, diabetes can develop devastating complications. It is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States.
Diabetes develops when one of the following occurs:
*When the pancreas does not produce any insulin.
*When the pancreas produces very little insulin.
*When the body does not respond appropriately to insulin, a condition called insulin resistance.
However, the good news is that with proper care, people with diabetes can lead normal, satisfying lives. Much of this care is "self-managed," meaning that if you have this condition, you must take day-to-day responsibility for your own care.
What are the types of Diabetes?
There are two main types of diabetes and some other rare forms:
*Type 1 or insulin—dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is the type that is almost always found in children and adolescents and occurs because the pancreas loses the ability to make insulin. People with type 1 diabetes need insulin treatment to stay alive. Type 1 diabetes is not caused by eating too much sugar or any other foods. There is NOTHING you can do to prevent your child from getting type 1 diabetes. Your child cannot grow out of type 1 diabetes. It does not change to type 2 diabetes as they get older.
*Type 2 or non—insulin—dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) usually affects older people and is often associated with being overweight. These people make some insulin but the insulin does not work well. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in people over age 40 who are overweight, but can occur in people who are not overweight. Sometimes referred to as "adult-onset diabetes," type 2 diabetes has started to appear more often in children because of the rise in obesity in young people.
What are the signs and symptoms for Diabetes?
The common symptoms and signs of diabetes are (mostly type 1):
*Frequent passing of urine
*Increased thirst and drinking
*Weight loss
*Fatigue
*Mood changes
Other possible symptoms include (usually type 2):
*Oral or vaginal thrush or skin infections (germs thrive in a high glucose environment)
*Abdominal (tummy) pains
*Excessive hunger
*Yeast infections
*Recent weight gain
*Numbness or tingling of the hands and feet
*Impotence or erectile dysfunction
How is Diabetes managed?
You hold the key to managing your diabetes by:
*Planning what you eat and following a balanced meal plan
*Exercising regularly
*Taking medicine, if prescribed, and closely following the guidelines on how and when to take it
*Monitoring your blood glucose and blood pressure levels at home
*Keeping your appointments with your health care providers and having laboratory tests as ordered by your doctor
How do I test for Diabetes?
You can start by taking the Diabetes Risk Test. If symptoms suggest diabetes your doctor will perform a urine test (for glucose and ketones) and a blood test (for a blood glucose level). Normally the urine contains no glucose; glucose only spills over into the urine when the blood glucose is high so glucose in the urine is highly suggestive of diabetes. A high blood glucose level is then used to confirm the diagnosis.
Many doctors recommend that screening for diabetes begin at age 30 among people at risk, such as those with a family history of the disease or who are overweight.
Things to Remember:
*Diabetes IS NOT contagious.
*Type 1 cannot be prevented.
*Type 2, in most cases, can be prevented in most indivuals who practice healthy eating habits and daily exercise.
Visit the American Diabetes Association for more information.
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