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Editor's note: This original version if this post referred to high blood sugar as "hypoglycemia". It has since been corrected as "hypergylcemia" -- thanks, Guest!
On the fourth Tuesday of March, the American Diabetes
Association (ADA) holds an annual "alert day." This event, which the
organization describes as a "wake-up call" for Americans, is important for citizens
of other countries, too. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the
global prevalence of diabetes continues to rise and "this number is likely to
more than double by 2030 without intervention".
The ADA's
message is simple: know whether or not you or your loved ones at risk of
diabetes. In the United
States, it is estimated that one in five
Americans is at risk for type 2 diabetes, and nearly 6 million more already
have diabetes and don't know it.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus, typically referred to as diabetes, is a
condition where a person has a high blood sugar levels as a result of the body
not producing enough insulin, or because body cells do not properly respond to
the insulin that is produced.
Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that allows
body cells to absorb the blood sugar (glucose) and turn it into energy. If the
cells do not absorb the glucose, it amasses in the blood – a condition known as hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
There are many different types of diabetes, but the most
common include Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
is a chronic condition that results from the body's failure to produce insulin.
The lack of insulin leads to increased blood and urine glucose. Common symptoms
of Type 1 diabetes include frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased
hunger. Type 1 diabetes can be fatal unless treated with insulin, which is
commonly injected.
Common factors attributed to Type 1 diabetes include
genetics and exposure to certain viruses. Type 1 diabetes was once referred to
as juvenile diabetes since it typically appears during adolescence – although
it may develop at any age.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and
is estimated to account for 90% of all cases of diabetes in the U.S., Canada,
and Europe. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by high blood pressure as a result
of the body not producing enough insulin, or the body cells ignoring the
insulin. While some people may not experience symptoms of Type 2 diabetes,
others may experience blurred vision, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, frequent
or slow-healing infections, increased appetite, increased thirst, frequent
urination, and unexplained weight loss.
There are many factors that may cause Type 2 diabetes
including a range of medical conditions, genetic factors, and certain
medications. It is said that this type of diabetes can often be delayed with
proper nutrition and regular exercise.
Gestational diabetes is
a condition where women who previously had not been diagnosed with diabetes
exhibit high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. There are little-to-few
signs of gestational diabetes. Should symptoms develop, they are commonly
non-life threatening to the pregnant woman and are diagnosed by screening
during the pregnancy.
Blood sugar levels typically return to normal post-delivery;
however, babies born to mothers who experience gestational diabetes are prone
to developing childhood obesity with the risk of Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Are YOU the One in
Five?
By holding this alert day, the American Diabetes Association
encourages people to find out if they are at risk. Their websites provides a risk
assessment test, which takes about a minute to complete.
For more information on diabetes, go to www.stopdiabetes.com.
Resources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/type-1-diabetes/DS00329
http://www.examiner.com/x-25506-Albany-Generation-X-Examiner~y2010m3d21-March-23-2010-American-Diabetes-Association-Alert-Day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestational_diabetes
https://health.google.com/health/ref/Type+2+diabetes
https://health.google.com/health/ref/Gestational+diabetes
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gestational-diabetes/DS00316
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/world_diabetes_day/en/index.html
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