Diabetes is a disease in which the blood glucose, or sugar, levels are too high. Glucose is the body's source of energy, and insulin is a hormone that helps transport glucose to the cells. With type 1 diabetes, the body cannot produce insulin. With type 2 diabetes, the body is unable to use insulin effectively or becomes resistant to insulin. Gestational diabetes is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Anyone can get diabetes, but there are several factors that can increase the risk of developing the disease, as well as several ways to help delay or prevent the development of this illness.
Diabetes Prevalence
According to 2007 information from the American Diabetes Association, 7.8 percent of the population in the United States has diabetes, and 57 million persons have pre-diabetes, or at risk for developing diabetes in the future. Diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death listed on U.S. death certificates in 2006.
Risk Factors that Cannot be Changed
There are groups that are at a higher risk for developing diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, these include African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, as well as the elderly. Persons who are over the age of 45 or have a family history of diabetes also are at risk for diabetes.
Other Risk Factors
Type 2 diabetes is more prevalent in persons who are overweight or obese. Persons who do not exercise regularly, have low HDL, or good, cholesterol and high triglycerides, or who have high blood pressure are also at a higher risk for developing diabetes.
Prevention of Diabetes
Living a healthy lifestyle can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Being physically active for 30 minutes on most days as long, as it is cleared with a doctor, can help prevent diabetes. This can mean taking a walk or biking for 10 minutes at three separate times during the day. Another option would be to engage in a physical activity that you enjoy doing for ten minutes, three times a day. Maintaining a healthy weight is also important. Speak to a doctor about a safe way of losing weight.
Other Considerations
According to the American Diabetes Association, since diabetes is a condition where persons are unable to effectively break down glucose, over time, glucose builds up in the blood. This can cause problems with various organs and parts of the body including the kidneys, eyes and feet. Preventing diabetes if you are at risk is the best way to prevent the devastating complications of the disease. If a person has diabetes, maintaining good control of blood sugars can help prevent complications.
