|

Author:
Barry Ford

In the past few years, cases of diabetes have skyrocketed to a staggering 16 million. One of the biggest problems that has been realized by the nation's doctors is that Americans know shockingly little about the disease or the importance of early detection.

A lot of these cases, actually could have been prevented. Dr. Curtis Harris, an Okalahoma physician, says "the vast majority of people living with the disease have type II". A disease that is often an overlooked killer. He went on to say "In fact if you look worldwide, the major killer of adults is diabetes and cardiovascular disease. They go hand in hand."

There are two types of diabetes, type one diabetes and type two diabetes. People with type I diabetes generally have a total lack of insulin, while people with type II diabetes generally have too little insulin or can not use insulin effectively. Without insulin, the body can't absorb sugar, or glucose, which cells need to produce energy.

How are the two types of diabetes different? Type II diabetes usually starts in young adulthood, while type I diabetes is usually detected much earlier.

With type II diabetes, no episodes of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar level unless taking insulin or other diabetes medications cannot be prevented. In fact it can be prevented or delayed by living with a healthy lifestyle including maintaining a healthy body weight, eating sensibly, and exercising regularly.

How are they alike? Both types of diabetes greatly increase a person's risks of a range of serious complications. Although monitoring and management can usually prevent most complications. Diabetes remains the leading cause of blindness and kidney failure. It also continues to be a critical risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and foot or leg amputations.

Here are some more facts about diabetes that you should know:

1. Eight out of ten people living with diabetes are overweight.

2. Your chance of developing diabetes is higher if you have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling with diabetes.

3. For reasons not yet clear, Blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians have high rates of diabetes.

4. The less physically you are, the greater the risk of developing diabetes.

Thanks for reading and may God bless you always, and in always.

Barry Ford is the webmaster of a website that provides both important information and valuable products about diabetes. You can find it at http://www.diabetesone.info

| Translate/Traduisez/Übersetzen Sie/Traduzca/Traduca/Traduza: Article Keywords: Diabetes Guides

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Diabetes Guides... Diabetes Information Diabetes is the leading cause of death in the United States. Some recent facts concerning diabetes, presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include: • In the United States, as of 2002, 18.0 million people of the ages 20 years or older have diabetes. • About 65% of deaths among people with diabetes are due to heart disease and stroke. • Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20-74 years. • About 60%-70% of diabetics have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage, such as: slowed digestion of food in the stomach, carpal tunnel syndrome, impaired sensation or pain in the feet or hands. • Gum disease is more common among people with diabetes. • Poorly controlled diabetes during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy can result in excessively large babies. • Diabetics are more likely to die with pneumonia or influenza than people who do not have diabetes. Common symptoms of diabetes are: weakness, hunger, thirst, weight loss, increased need to urinate, sudden changes in vision, very dry skin, and sores that are slow to heal. Diabetics also have sweet-smelling breath and could suffer from confusion. Insulin-dependent diabetes is the least common form of this disease. Insulin-diabetes is more commonly known as Type I diabetes, or juvenile-onset diabetes. Patients with Type I diabetes are unable to produce insulin. Diabetics with Type I diabetes are genetically predisposed to the disease. Noninsulin-dependent diabetes is known as Type 2 diabetes, or adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to respond to insulin. Type 2 diabetes is predominant in minorities. About 90%-95% of diabetics have this form of diabetes. Type 2 diabetics are also usually obese. Gestational diabetes...