FACTS ABOUT DIABETES

• Affects approximately 16 million people in the United States
• Is a leading cause of death and disability in the US
• More common in older people, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans
• Can affect people at any age.

What is Diabetes
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder (the way the body digests food for energy and growth).  Food is generally broken down by the digestive system into simple sugars called Glucose.  Glucose is fuel for the body.  Cells in the body use glucose for energy and growth.  A hormone call Insulin must be present for glucose to get into the cell bodies.  Insulin is produced by the pancreas.  The Pancreas is a large gland located behind the stomach.  It is suppose to automatically produce the proper amount of Insulin.  In people with diabetes the pancreas either produces too little or no insulin, or the body does not respond to the insulin that was produced.

Hypoglycemia  - When blood sugar levels in the body drop too low.
Hyperglycemia - When blood sugar levels in the body rise too high.

Types of Diabetes

Non-Insulin Dependent - The body produces insulin, but cannot effectively use it.  This causes an unhealthy build up of glucose in the blood stream and an inability of the body to make proper use of its main source of fuel.  This type of diabetes is found in 90-95% of diabetics.

Insulin Dependent - Autoimmune disease, which means the body's system for fighting infections has turned on a part of the body.  In this case of diabetes, the immune system has turned on the insulin producing cells in the pancreas.  The pancreas can then produce little or no insulin.  Someone with this type of diabetes needs daily injections of insulin to live.  This type affects about 5-10% of all diabetics in the US.

Gestational Diabetes - This type of diabetes develops during pregnancy.  Although it usually disappears when the pregnancy is over.  Women who develop gestational diabetes run a greater risk of getting non-insulin diabetes later in life.

Signs and Symptoms

Hyperglycemia - Nausea and vomiting, rapid pulse, skin is warm and dry, abdominal pain, fever (occasionally), decreased level of consciousness.  If not treated with insulin, a person having a hyperglycemic reaction can slip into a life threatening coma.

Hypoglycemia - Cold, clammy skin, weakness, un-coordination, headache, weak rapid pulse, irritable nervous behavior, may appear to be intoxicated.  If not treated with sugar a person having a hypoglycemic reaction can suffer serious and permanent brain damage.

Both of these conditions are true medical emergencies, 9-1-1 should be called immediately upon noticing a problem.

Complications of Diabetes
Blindness
Heart Disease
Strokes
Kidney Failure
Amputations
Nerve Damage

People who suffer from diabetes must take responsibility for their day to day actions.  Ways to help keep your diabetes in check are as follows:

Eat meals at regular interval
Take your insulin when it is scheduled
Check your sugar on a regular basis
Keep in constant contact with your physician who will monitor your condition and check for abnormalities.

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