According to the American Diabetes Association, as of 2007, diabetes affected 23.6 million Americans, or 8 percent of the population. Diabetics have a high level of glucose in their blood, which causes various health problems. The disease is categorized into two types: diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus.
Types
Diabetes insipidus, more commonly known as Type 1 diabetes, is the form found in people under age 40. Type 2 diabetes, or diabetes mellitus, is usually found in adults older than 40.
Type 1 Significance
In Type 1 diabetes, the individual has a pituitary gland problem in which the body doesn't produce insulin. The disease is sometimes referred to as "insulin-dependent" diabetes.
Type 2 Significance
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, in which the body doesn't use or make insulin very well. Symptoms include blurry vision, fatigue, weight loss and thirst; however, the individual may not have symptoms.
Treatment
Type 1 diabetics must inject insulin and sometimes other medications. Type 2 diabetics may be able to control the disease with proper diet, exercise and medication.
Prevalence
In the United States, type 2 diabetes is most prevalent among African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans and Latinos.
References
- Diabetes Statistics
- Sönksen, Peter; Fox, Charles; Judd, Sue; "Diabetes: At Your Fingertips' Guide"; 2003
- Diabetes
