Diabetes

Over 38 million adults and children in the United States have diabetes. Many do not know they have it. Learn if you are at risk. If you are, ask your doctor to check with a simple blood test, so that you can live a healthier life.

Diabetes is a disease where blood glucose or blood sugar levels are way above normal. Much of what we eat is turned into sugar and our body uses this for energy. The pancreas makes a hormone called insulin, which is needed to change sugar, starches and other food into energy. If you have diabetes, the body can't make and/or use insulin. Too much sugar in your blood can cause serious health problems.

There are two types of diabetes:

1. In Type 1 Diabetes, the body does not make insulin. Type 1 diabetes most often happens in children and young adults.
2. Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In Type 2 Diabetes, the body does not make the right amount of insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. High risk groups include people who:
   • Age 45 or older
   • Overweight or obese
   • Family history of diabetes
   • Alaska Native, American Indian, African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian-American or Pacific Islander heritage
   • Female with a history of gestational diabetes or had a baby heavier than 9 pounds at birth
   • High blood pressure (140/90 mm Hg or higher)
   • HDL cholesterol lower than 35 mg/dl or triglycerides higher than 250 mg/dl
   • Exercise fewer than three times a week
   • Polycystic ovary syndrome
   • History of heart or blood vessel disease
   • Prediabetic (blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diabetes)

Some symptoms may be so mild that they go unnoticed. Early symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes include:

• Being very thirsty and going to the bathroom often
• Weight loss, tiredness and drowsiness
• Skin, gum, bladder or vaginal infections
• Slow healing of cuts and bruises
• Blurry vision
• Numb hands or feet

If you have diabetes, you can help protect yourself. Some of the things you can do to control diabetes are:

• Test your blood sugar daily. Make sure your treatment plan is working.
• Eat right. Choose foods and recipes with less sugar, less fat and low salt. Eat meals that are high in fruits, veggies and whole grains.
• Stay active. This can help control your weight and keep healthy.
• Take prescribed drugs as directed. Ask your doctor if other drugs that you may be taking will get in the way of your diabetes medicine. This includes any over the-counter-drugs.

Resources

American Diabetes Association
Take the risk test. Learn how to read food labels and find healthy recipes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Just finding out about your diabetes? Learn the first steps you should take.

Children with Diabetes
Join an online group for kids, families and adults.

KidsHealth for Kids
Read stories about children living with diabetes and learn about keeping a food diary.

KidsHealth for Parents
Help your child know the signs and how to avoid the illness.

The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC)
Find out if you are at risk. Learn about treatments.