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. There are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States , or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong disease that develops when the pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that lets sugar (glucose) move from the blood into the body's cells, where it can be used for energy or stored for later use. If sugar cannot move from the blood into the cells, the person's blood sugar rises above a safe level and the cells cannot function properly.
Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, although it typically develops in children and young adults, usually before the age of 30. Because of this, type 1 diabetes used to be called juvenile diabetes. It has also been called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) because insulin injections must be taken daily.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. People who develop type 2 diabetes often are overweight and not physically active. It is most common in people who are older than 40 but is becoming more common in children. Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes or non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or at least delayed if a person maintains a healthy body weight and exercises regularly. Treatment focuses on keeping blood sugar and cholesterol at safe levels. A balanced diet and regular exercise are effective for many people, but some may need one or more medications, including insulin, to help control blood sugar levels.
October 2007
Sources:
American Diabetes Association, Healthwise, and Health Day
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