 |
Diabetes is a disease that affects the body's ability to produce or
respond to insulin, a hormone that allows blood glucose (sugar) to enter the cells of the
body and be used for energy. Without insulin the body cannot control the amount of sugar
in the blood. Over a period of time, high blood sugar can damage the cells in the body
leading to problems such as blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, stroke, nerve damage
and leg amputations.
Diabetes requires a rigorous regime of daily self-management. Each day patients with
diabetes must monitor their blood sugars and make decisions as to medications, diet and
exercise. Undiagnosed or uncontrolled diabetes leads to devastating complications;
diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, kidney disease and lower extremity amputations
and a major contributor to heart disease.
Diabetes is classified into two main types: Type 1 (previously known as insulin-dependent
diabetes mellitus or "juvenile onset" diabetes), and Type 2 (previously known as
non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or "adult onset" diabetes).
Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5 to10 percent
of diabetes cases. Although this type of diabetes can occur at any age, it most often
appears in the childhood or teen years. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little
or no insulin so that persons with Type 1 diabetes require daily injections of insulin to
live.
- Less common, accounts for 5 to 10 percent of
diabetes cases.
- Most commonly diagnosed in childhood or teen
years.
- The pancreas produces little or no insulin so
that person with Type 1 diabetes require daily injections of insulin to live.
- The pancreas either produces an insufficient
amount of insulin or the body cannot use the insulin effectively.
- If untreated, the end result is death.
The most common type of diabetes is Type 2 diabetes which affects 90 to 95 percent of
those with diabetes. In Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas usually produces insulin, but for
some reason, the body cannot use the insulin effectively. In both Type 1 and Type 2
diabetes, if uncontrolled the end result is an unhealthy buildup of glucose in the blood
and an inability of the body to make efficient use of its main source of fuel. Over time,
high levels of blood glucose damage microvascular and macrovascular systems and lead to
complications such as blindness, amputations, heart disease and kidney disease.
- The most common type of diabetes, accounts for
90 to 90 percent of diabetes cases.
- Most commonly diagnosed in adults over the age
of 40.
- If untreated, the end result is serious
complications which can lead to death.
|
|
