Health Facts

Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious, lifelong disease that affects more than 18 million Americans. Unfortunately, nearly one-third of those afflicted are unaware that they have the disease. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles. By not properly using or producing insulin, diabetes makes it difficult for the cells of the body to get the sugar they need, called glucose, to create energy. Without energy, cells cannot function and will die. Insulin is a chemical hormone, produced in the pancreas, which helps to regulate the amount of glucose in the blood. Insulin "unlocks" the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. When insulin is absent, not present in enough quantities, or used improperly, this causes glucose levels to increase in the blood.

Diabetes can appear in different forms. In Type 1 diabetes the pancreas does not make insulin. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have this extreme form of the disease. With Type 2 diabetes, also known as noninsulin-dependent diabetes, the body is able to produce insulin in enough quantities, but is unable to use the insulin effectively (insulin resistance). This is the most common form of the disease and also results in high levels of glucose in the blood. Some women develop gestational diabetes during the late stages of pregnancy. While this form of diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born, these women may be more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes later in life. Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are at increased risk for developing Type 2 diabetes and for heart disease and stroke.