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. There are 18.2 million people in the United States, or 6.3% of the population, who have diabetes.
While an estimated 13 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 5.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease. There are three major types of diabetes:
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% (17 million) of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
PRE-DIABETES
Pre-diabetes is 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 20.1 million Americans have pre-diabetes, in addition to the 18.2 million with diabetes.
OTHER TYPES: Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women - about 135,000 cases in the United States each year.
SYMPTOMS:
Often diabetes goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless. Recent studies indicate the early detection and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that 2 out of 3 people with diabetes die from heart disease and stroke?
There are 18.2 million Americans with diabetes - and one in three does not know it!
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. There are 18.2 million people in the United States, or 6.3% of the population, who have diabetes.
TYPE 1 DIABETES
Pre-diabetes is 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 20.1 million Americans have pre-diabetes, in addition to the 18.2 million with diabetes.