Diabetes Treatments

[ American Diabetes Association (ADA), 2005a] The cause of diabetes is unknown, but both genetics and environmental factors …

What is Diabetes?

A
ccording to the American Diabetes Association, Diabetes is a disease in
which the body does not produce or properly use insulin [American
Diabetes Association ADA, 2005a] Insulin is a hormone produced by ?
cells of the pancreatic islets in response to a rise in blood glucose
concentration; accelerates glucose uptake and metabolism by most cells of
the body thus lowering blood glucose concentration Saladin, 2004, p G-
10 In other words, insulin provides energy by breaking down sugar
starches and other foods [ADA, 2005a] The cause of diabetes is unknown,
but both genetics and environmental factors are thought to play a role in
developing the disease

Types of Diabetes:

Type I diabetes occurs when the bodys immune system destroys
pancreatic ? cells Type I diabetes is usually called juvenile diabetes
but it can be diagnosed at any time in life This type of diabetes
accounts for 5-10 of all diagnosed cases [ADA, 2005b] With this type
of diabetes people have a defect in insulin production This means that
they must inject insulin into the fat under their skin in order for it to
reach the blood stream

Type II
diabetes occurs when the bodys pancreas makes insulin, but
the body does not respond well to it Type II diabetes was formally called
adult-onset diabetes until it was diagnosed in children as young as twelve
years old This type of diabetes accounts for 90-95 of all diagnosed
cases [ADA 2005b]

Who is affected by diabetes?

Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in America There are
182 million people or 63 of the United States population, who are
diabetic Approximately 13 million of these people have been diagnosed with
diabetes, but the other 52 million people are unaware that they have the
disease [ADA 2005b]

Everyone is at risk for diabetes, especially type II diabetes
Minorities like American Indians and Alaska natives are two times more
likely to develop diabetes than non-white Hispanics Also, Hispanic
Americans and African Americans are 18 and 16 times more likely to
develop diabetes, respectively Not only are minorities at a high risk for
diabetes, but women are also more likely to develop the disease Of all
women over 20 years old, 93 million of them have diabetes Men are still
at risk for diabetes but only 87 million have been diagnosed
[ADA
2005b]

The Symptoms of Diabetes:
Symptoms of Diabetes:

Early diagnosis of diabetes is essential If diabetes is recognized
early it can prevent complications later in life Some symptoms of
diabetes go unnoticed so it is important to know what are

Symptoms:
V Frequent urination
V Excessive thirst
V Blurry vision
V Irritability
V Increased fatigue
V Unusual weight loss
V Extreme hunger [ADA, 2005c]

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and think that you are at
risk for diabetes, contact your health care professional to express your
concerns

Myths about Diabetes:

Myth 1-You can catch diabetes from someone else
Myth 2-People with diabetes can not eat sweets or chocolate
Myth 3-Eating to much sugar causes diabetes

Hershey Entertainment Resorts Company , 2005
Myth 4-If you have diabetes you should only eat small amounts of starchy
foods
Myth 5-People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other
illnesses
Myth 6-Insulin causes atherosclerosis and high blood pressure [ADA,
2005a]

Note from the editor:

The bottom line about diabetes is that many Americans are
affected by
it With this disease, it is extremely important to recognize the signs
and symptoms before it can cause harm to other systems of the body In the
near future, there will be a cure for diabetes, but for now we all must
remain educated about the disease and optimistic about the future

References:

Saladin, K 2004 Anatomy Physiology The Unity of Form and Function
3rd edition Boston MA: McGraw Hill
American Diabetes Association 2005a All about Diabetes Retrieved
February 28, 2005, from http://wwwdiabetesorg/about-diabetesjsp
American Diabetes Association 2005b Diabetes Statistics, Retrieved
February 28, 2005, from http://wwwdiabetesorg/diabetes-
statisticsjsp
American Diabetes Association 2005c Diabetes Symptoms, Retrieved
February 28, 2005, from http://wwwdiabetesorg/diabetes-symptomsjsp
Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company Retrieved March 1, 2005, from
http://wwwhersheypacom/attractions/in_hershey/chocolate_worldhtml:
Diabetes Ribbon Retrieved March 2, 2005, from http://wwwwtv-
zonecom/BVD/wings/DiabetesRibbongif

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There are 182 million people or 63 of the United States population, who
are
diabetics

Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in America

Source:integrateddiabetes.com