We still do not know what causes diabetes, but genetics and environmental factors - such as obesity and lack of exercise - play a role in its development. Whatever its cause, diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and throughout the world. In Montana, diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure.
What are the types of diabetes?
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops making insulin, so there is no insulin to push sugars, or energy, into our cells. Without insulin, we cannot live. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes are sudden and include weight loss, loss of energy, increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger and blurred vision. Type 1 diabetes requires insulin therapy.
In type 2 diabetes, body cells become resistant to insulin, therefore not allowing insulin to let sugar into some cells. Type 2 diabetes occurs slowly because, at first, only a few cells are resistant to insulin. Eventually, enough cells become resistant. This means that very little of the sugar gets into the cells and instead, just floats around in our blood stream. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes are gradual and include increased thirst, increased urination, feeling tired, blurred vision and frequent infections. Most Americans with diabetes have type 2.
If left untreated or poorly managed, the high amount of sugar in our bloodstream damages our eyes and kidneys. It damages our nerves, creating numbness and tingling in our feet. It raises our triglycerides and our blood pressure to damage our heart.
How do I know if I have diabetes?
The American Diabetes Association criteria for diagnosing diabetes are any one of the following:
• Fasting blood sugar test of 126 mg/dl or higher.
• A two-hour oral glucose tolerance test of 200 or higher.
• Symptoms of diabetes and a blood sugar level of 200 or higher at any time.
Nearly one in four Americans don’t know they have diabetes. Diabetes is more common in American Indians, African-Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders. It is also more common as we age.
What should I do if I have symptoms?
If you have any symptoms, ask your health care provider about a blood glucose test. It is easy to do, and may save you from complications of not knowing you have diabetes. With diet, weight loss and exercise, blood sugars can come down significantly. If blood sugars are still high after a proper diet and exercise, oral medications are tried, and then insulin. With proper treatment, people live very long, productive lives with diabetes and do not experience many of the complications.
Mary Shick is a registered nurse, BSN and diabetes educator at St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center.
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helen Leishman wrote on Nov 2, 2008 8:55 AM: