Diabetes is an epidemic in the United States
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has
declared diabetes to be an epidemic in the United States.
Approximately 17 million people in the United States
have diabetes while another 6 million individuals have
pre-diabetes and may not even know it.
Diabetes is a serious illness, which does not have
a cure. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to life-threatening
complications, such as blindness, kidney disease, nerve
disease, heart disease, amputations and stroke.
Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce or properly
use insulin, a hormone that converts sugar, starches
and other food into energy. It generally occurs in people
with a family history of the disease. People who are
obese and do not get adequate exercise are also likely
to develop Type II diabetes.
The two major types of diabetes are:
- Type I. This type of diabetes occurs when the body
does not produce any insulin. It usually occurs in
children and young adults. People with Type I diabetes
must take insulin injections daily.
- Type II. This is the most common form of diabetes
and results from insulin resistance, when the body
fails to make enough or properly use insulin.
People are at risk for developing Type I diabetes if
they have a parent or sibling who has been diagnosed
with Type I diabetes. Individuals are at risk for developing
Type II diabetes if they are over 45, have a family
history of diabetes, are overweight, do not exercise
regularly, or have low HDL or high triglycerides. Also,
certain racial and ethnic groups are at greater risk
of having Type II diabetes.
Warning signs for Type I diabetes are frequent urination,
unusual thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss,
blurred vision, extreme fatigue and irritability. Warning
signs for Type II diabetes, in addition to those mentioned
previously, are frequent infections, cuts and bruises
that heal slowly, tingling or numbness in the hands
or feet and recurring skin, gum or bladder infections.
People with Type II diabetes often have only mild symptoms
of the disease, which may cause them to be overlooked
as signs of a serious illness.
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