Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce insulin or produces insulin that does not function very well. Blood sugar becomes unavailable to be used for energy in the cells of the body and builds up in the bloodstream to high levels. Symptoms include: frequent urination, weight loss, weakness and tiredness, excessive thirst, and excessive hunger.
There are different types of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes: The body is not producing insulin at all. In order to maintain life, insulin must be taken at least once a day. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed during childhood, but can start as late as young adulthood.
Type 2 Diabetes: This is the most common type of diabetes. About 90% of patients with diabetes are Type 2. Insulin deficiency, insulin resistance at the cellular level, and impaired glucose tolerance causing excessive glucose production by the liver all work together to produce blood sugar levels above normal. Treatment after diagnosis needs to include exercise, medication, nutrition and changes in behavior.
Gestational Diabetes: This is when diabetes develops during pregnancy. Usually the diabetes goes away after the baby is born, but the mom is at a greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in her life.
Pre-Diabetes: This is the stage between normal blood sugar levels and blood sugar levels elevated to the point of diagnosing diabetes. During this stage, interventions in changing lifestyle patterns in eating and exercise can turn back the clock and return blood sugars levels to normal.
Use the following links to national websites to learn more.
The American Diabetes Association: www.diabetes.org
The American Dietetic Association: www.eatright.org
The American Association of Diabetes Educators: www.diabeteseducator.org
The National Diabetes Education Program: www.ndep.nih.gov
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/diabetes
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: www.jdrf.org
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: www2.niddk.nih.gov
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