Diabetes Awareness

The American Diabetes Association estimates that 18.2 million people in the United States are living with diabetes, but 5.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease! Here is some helpful information about what diabetes is, how it is diagnosed, and some tips for lowering your risk of diabetes. Being aware and informed is often your best defense!

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes is largely unknown, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play an important role.

Although diabetes is a chronic disease and is incurable (with the exception of gestational diabetes), symptoms and complications can be successfully controlled and managed with proper medical care, therapies, diet, and exercise.

A diagnosis of diabetes can be scary, but people with diabetes live long, healthy lives.

Are There Different Types of Diabetes?

There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Type 1, formerly called juvenile diabetes, is typically diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults. It results from the body’s inability to produce insulin. The body’s immune system basically attacks and destroys the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin, so the body is unable to break down glucose (sugar and starch) in the diet.

Type 2, formerly called adult-onset diabetes, is the most common. People can develop Type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. This form usually results from insulin resistance, a condition in which muscle, liver, and fat cells do not use insulin properly. At first, the pancreas keeps up with the added demand by producing more insulin. Over time, however, it loses the ability to secrete enough insulin in response to the glucose in the diet.

Gestational diabetes can develop in some women in the later stages of pregnancy. It is caused by the hormones of pregnancy or by a shortage of insulin. Although this form of diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born, a woman who has had it is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

What is Pre-diabetes?

In pre-diabetes, blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be characterized as diabetes. However, many people with pre-diabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Pre-diabetes also increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. With modest weight loss and moderate physical activity, people with pre-diabetes can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.

How do I Know if I Have Diabetes?

A diagnosis of diabetes is made when any of these tests are positive, followed by a second positive test on a different day:

• A fasting plasma glucose test measures your blood glucose after you have gone at least 8 hours without eating. This test is used to detect diabetes or pre-diabetes.
• An oral glucose tolerance test measures your blood glucose after you have gone at least 8 hours without eating and 2 hours after you drink a glucose-containing beverage. This test can be used to diagnose diabetes or pre-diabetes.
• In a random plasma glucose test, your blood glucose is checked without regard to when you ate your last meal. This test, along with an assessment of symptoms, is used to diagnose diabetes but not pre-diabetes.

Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?

Check which of the following risk factors apply to you:

• I am 45 or older.
• I am overweight or obese.
• I have a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes.
• My family background is African American, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic American/Latino.
• I have had gestational diabetes, or I gave birth to at least one baby weighing more than 9 pounds.
• My blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, or I have been told that I have high blood pressure.
• My cholesterol levels are not normal. My HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) is 35 or lower, or my triglyceride level is 250 or higher.
• I am fairly inactive. I exercise fewer than three times a week.

While any one of these factors does not mean you will develop diabetes, checking two or more of the boxes above may mean you have an increased risk. For these risk factors that are controllable to some extent (diet, exercise, blood pressure, cholesterol levels), making healthy lifestyle decisions to improve these factors can greatly reduce your chances of developing diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association offers an on-line, interactive test that can help you determine your risk.

What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?

Often diabetes goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless or go unnoticed. Recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease the chance of developing complications of diabetes.

Some diabetes symptoms include:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Increased fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurry vision

If you have one or more of these diabetes symptoms, see your doctor right away.

Managing Diabetes…Follow the ABCs.

Many people avoid the long-term problems of diabetes by taking good care of themselves and the ABCs of diabetes. If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, work with your health care team, friends, and family to make healthy lifestyle choices and reach your ABC goals.

A = A1C Test
It measures how well your blood sugar levels have been managed over the past three months. This should be tested at least two times a year by your healthcare provider. High blood glucose levels can harm your kidneys, eyes, and feet.

B = Blood Pressure
The goal for most people is 130/80. High blood pressure means your heart is working too hard, which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.

C = Control Cholesterol
The LDL (bad cholesterol) goal for most people is less than 100. Bad cholesterol can build up in your arteries, restrict blood flow, and can cause a heart attack or stroke.