Diabetes

WHAT IS DIABETES?

Diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, is a disease that occurs when your blood sugar, or blood glucose, is too high. Glucose is your body’s main energy source. In order for glucose to get into the cells, insulin is needed. Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas and is released into the blood. When your body does not produce enough insulin or does not use insulin well, the glucose (sugar) stays in your blood and cannot fuel your cells. Diabetes is the result of high blood sugar levels. This is a serious condition and can become detrimental to your health.

Statistics

In 2015, 9.4% of the United States population, or 30.3 million Americans, had diabetes. The average diabetes patient incurs about $13,700 of excess medical expenditures per year.

TYPES OF DIABETES

Type 1

This is usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults. About 5% of individuals with diabetes have type 1. With this type of diabetes, the body produces little or no insulin. Usually, this is because the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells. Therefore, glucose cannot enter the cells and be used as fuel. Insulin therapy and other treatments can be administered to manage type 1 diabetes and to live a long, healthy life.

Type 2

This is the most common form of diabetes; 9 in 10 people with diabetes have type 2. This type develops over many years and is usually diagnosed in middle-aged and older adults. With type 2, the body does not use insulin properly and cannot regulate blood sugar levels. Health lifestyle changes such as weight loss (if overweight), regular physical activity, and healthy eating can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes

Symptoms

Some symptoms include:

Being very thirsty and/or hungry
Urinating often
Unexplained weight loss
Blurry eyesight
Feeling very tired

Risk Factors

What Can Diabetes Cause?

Even though diabetes can affect anyone, if you are 45 years or older, have a family history of diabetes, or are overweight, you are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Studies have also shown that those in certain ethic groups, such as African American, Alaska Native, American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander, have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes increases one’s risk of developing heart disease or stroke. The majority of people with diabetes die from these two complications. Heart attacks may occur earlier in life in individuals with diabetes. Nerve damage and blindness have the potential to develop as well.

Do you think you are at risk for Diabetes? Click here to take a “Risk Test” offered by the American Diabetes Association.

Standard Ranges*

Normal (after 8 hours of fasting)

Normal (2-3 hours after eating)

Normal (after eating)

Pre-Diabetes

Type I or II Diabetes

80-100 mg/dL

120-140 mg/dL

170-200 mg/dL

100-125 mg/dL

126 mg/dL or higher

*single readings are subject to error and a variety of factors. Details should be discussed with a healthcare professional

How can IMSS help?

Early detection is key to prevention. By holding free health screenings, IMSS allows individuals to be informed of their blood glucose levels. Professional and educational advice is given by the supervising healthcare professional to help the patient maintain their blood glucose at a normal level. Becoming aware of one’s blood glucose levels allows individuals to take preventative steps and make lifestyle changes to lead a healthy life.

IMSS uses a CardioChek® machine to analyze blood glucose levels. This device measures the current level of glucose in the blood.

References:

American Diabetes Association: http://www.diabetes.org http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes.jsp
American Heart Association 2007
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/DM
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/DM/pubs/type1and2/what.htm#signs
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ro/www/IlliniMedicalScreeningSociety/pages/tests/glucometer.html

Diabetes information