Diabetes is a disease that affects the body's ability to produce insulin or effectively use it. Insulin breaks down glucose from the foods that people eat to use it as energy. While diabetes is treatable, it produces many different long-term consequences for individuals as well as on society in general.
Types
Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas is unable to produce insulin. Those with Type 1 diabetes have to take insulin injections to break down glucose to use as energy for their body. Type 2 diabetes is when the body is not effectively using insulin because the body is resistant to it. While both types are hereditary, type 2 is more common and has a link to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors such as physical inactivity and poor nutrition. Gestational diabetes is diabetes that occurs during pregnancy.
Statistics
It would be hard to find someone who does not know someone affected by diabetes in the United States. According to the American Diabetes Association, 23.5 million people in the United States have diabetes while only 5 to 10 percent of those with diabetes have type 1. It is the seventh leading cause of death and leads to disability and loss of quality of life because of devastating complications.
Management and Treatment
Many advances in diabetes treatments and medications have occurred. These include insulin shots containing medications as well as oral medications that help to bring blood sugars down. Testing blood sugars regularly with a blood glucose machine is also important in the management of diabetes. Other ways a person can help control diabetes include exercising regularly and eating according to a doctor's or dietitian's dietary parameters.
Prevention
Because obesity is linked to type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes, it is important to engage in lifestyle behaviors that prevent or cure obesity. These include engaging in regular physical activity and eating a nutritious diet. Thirty minutes of moderately strenuous physical activity most days of the week can help curb type 2 diabetes. This can include walking, jogging, swimming, heavy gardening or biking. Eating a diet low in saturated fat, high in fiber and lower in simple carbohydrates can help with weight control. Ideas for a nutritious diet can be found on the American Diabetes Association website.
Consequences
Diabetes is linked to heart disease, stroke and can result in serious complications that lead to blindness, kidney failure and amputations. These complications can be prevented or delayed through proper treatment and management of diabetes. Work closely with a doctor or endocrinologist to screen for early signs of complications and to help maintain good control over blood sugars.
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