Diabetes is a chronic disease that afflicts over 18 million Americans.  It is the fourth leading cause of death, and there is not yet a cure for it.  We do know that people are more likely to contract type 2 diabetes if they are obese and have poor lifestyle habits.

The good news is that lifestyle habits can be improved, and improving them will help control or prevent diabetes.

In the recent Diabetes Prevention Program, a study of 3,000 people with prediabetes conditions showed that people who exercise (30 minutes of walking per day), ate a low fat diet, and had a 5-7% weight loss had a 58% lower chance of developing type 2 diabetes.  Weight loss, diet and exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle can prevent or control diabetes.

What is diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is the presence of high levels of blood glucose due to defects in insulin production or insulin action, or both. Untreated, this condition can lead to life-threatening diseases like stoke, heart disease, kidney failure, and infection.

Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that is essential to the cycle of energy production in the cells. There needs to be the right amount of insulin in the blood, and it needs to be working properly, in order to have the cells take in and convert glucose to energy. If the process is not working properly, the blood glucose builds up in the blood stream unused. Thus, the basic test for diabetes is the level of glucose in the blood.



Diabetes’ symptoms include:

• excessive thirst or hunger
• frequent urination
• tiredness
• sudden weight loss
• blurred vision

Excessive blood glucose, or hyperglycemia, is a common indicator of diabetes, and can lead to coma or ketoacidosis (ketoacidosis occurs when the body, unable to use blood sugar, begins to use body fat for energy, creating toxic byproducts).

Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can also occur especially in someone being treated for diabetes who has too much insulin in the blood. With hypoglycemia, a person may experience headaches or dizziness, but it can quickly evolve into seizure or unconsciousness unless glucose is quickly ingested (full sugar fruit juice is a common method).

Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, or what used to be called “junvenile onset” diabetes, accounts for about 10% of the diabetes cases diagnosed in the United States. It is typically found in teens or young adults, although it can occur at any age. For unknown reasons, the body attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin in a malfunctioning autoimmune process, destroying the natural ability to convert glucose to energy.  This form of diabetes comes on very quickly, with clear and strong symptoms.

Type 2 DiabetesType 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90% of the diagnoses. Although it used to be referred to as “adult onset” diabetes, it is increasingly found in young adults and children due to the epidemic of obesity in America. This form of diabetes evolves much more slowly than type 1, so its symptoms increase slowly and may not be immediately recognized as part of the chronic disease process. With type 2 diabetes, the disease process may begin when cells become resistant to insulin or use it inefficiently. Over time, the ability of the pancreas to produce adequate insulin may deteriorate.

Risk of type 2 diabetes can be hereditary, but it is also strongly associated with lifestyle habits and obesity.

Gestational Diabetes
Pregnant women sometimes develop symptoms of diabetes, and may need treatment for insulin inadequacy. Research suggests these women are more susceptible to later developing full blown type 2 diabetes.

Complications of Diabetes
People with diabetes may experience the symptoms listed above, or suffer the direct effects of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. But there are other serious complications that may develop over several years.

• Heart: Heart disease is present in seventy-five percent of diabetes-related deaths.
• Neurosystem: Sixty to seventy percent of the diabetic population has diabetic nerve damage. High blood sugar, over time, can damage small blood vessels – including those of the eyes, nerves and kidneys. Studies have shown that keeping blood sugar levels closer to normal reduces complications to small vessels by 25 to 75 percent.
• Eyes: Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults, particularly a condition called diabetic retinopathy that damages the retina, the lining of the back of the eye. Watch for early changes in vision.
• Kidneys: Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in the U.S. Watch for protein in urine and/or an increase in blood pressure.
• Feet: Watch for pain, numbness and/or wounds that won’t heal. An out of control infection could require amputation to save the rest of the limb.

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