Diabetes: an introduction
About 16 million people in the United States have diabetes mellitus, a serious, life-long disorder that is, as yet, incurable. About one-third of these people do not know they have diabetes and are not under medical care. Each year, approximately 600,000 people are diagnosed with diabetes. In Illinois, approximately 500,000 persons 18 years of age and older have diagnosed diabetes.Individuals with diabetes are at increased risk for heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and lower extremity amputations not related to injuries. Diabetes and its complications occur among Americans of all ages and racial and ethnic groups. The burden of the disease, however, is heavier among the elderly and certain racial and ethnic populations, including African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
The term diabetes refers either to a deficiency of insulin or to the body's decreased ability to use insulin. Insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, allows glucose (sugar) to enter body cells and be converted to energy. It also is needed to synthesize protein and to store fats. In uncontrolled diabetes, glucose and lipids (fats) remain in the bloodstream and, in time, damage the body's vital organs and contribute to heart disease.
There are two main types of diabetes: non-insulin dependent (type-2) and insulin dependent (type-1). Non-insulin dependent diabetes, which usually appears after the age of 40, is the most common type, affecting 90 percent - 95 percent of those who have the disease. Insulin-dependent diabetes affects the remaining proportion of those with the disease. Although this type of diabetes can occur at any age, it most often appears in childhood or during the teen years.
What are the signs of diabetes?
The signs of diabetes are frequent thirst, constant urination, unusual hunger, rapid loss of weight, and obvious weakness and fatigue.Who is most at risk for developing diabetes?
The following have a greater risk of developing non-insulin dependent diabetes:- Those with a family history of diabetes (parents or siblings with diabetes).
- Individuals who are obese (20 percent or more over ideal body weight).
- Members of certain racial or ethnic groups. Those who are more likely to develop diabetes are Mexican and Puerto Rican Americans (twice as likely), African Americans (1.6 times) and Cuban Americans (1.5 times).
- Those who are 45 years of age and older.
- Individuals previously identified as having impaired glucose tolerance.
- Individuals with hypertension or who have excessive levels of fat in their blood (hyperlipidemia).
- Women who have a history of gestational diabetes during pregnancy or who have delivered babies weighing more than 9 pounds.
