Diabetes

More than 21-million Americans have diabetes—and many remain undiagnosed.

Diabetes is a condition where the pancreas is unable to produce insulin or does not effectively use the insulin that is produced. Insulin is a hormone that is secreted from the pancreas. It removes glucose, or blood sugar, from the blood and delivers it to the body's cells for fuel.

There are three types of diabetes that share many of the same risk factors:

Type 1 Diabetes

This occurs when the pancreas stops making insulin. It is usually diagnosed in children and accounts for about 10% of people with diabetes. Risk factors include:

• Heredity: Diabetes tends to run in families, so having a parent, brother or sister with diabetes increases your risk.
• Ethnic background: Type 1 diabetes is more common among whites, even though it can happen to people of every race.
• Age: It generally occurs in children and teens but sometimes develops in adults ages 20 to 40.

Type 2 Diabetes

This occurs when the pancreas continues to produce insulin but the insulin loses its effectiveness. This type affects the remaining 90% of people with diabetes and it usually develops in adulthood. Risk factors include:

• Heredity: Diabetes tends to run in families, so having a parent, brother or sister with diabetes increases your risk
• Age: Most people diagnosed with type 2 are more than 40 years old
• Ethnic background: Type 2 diabetes is more common among Native Americans, African-Americans, Hispanics, Latinos and Asians.
• Being overweight: People with inactive lifestyles weighing at least 20% more than the recommended weight for their height and build.
• Higher-than-normal blood glucose levels
• High blood pressure or heart disease
• Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of exercise increases insulin resistance.
• Gestational diabetes: Women who developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy are at an increased risk.
• Baby's birth weight: Women who have given birth to babies weighing nine pounds or more are also at higher risk.
• Using certain drugs: Thiazide diuretics (used to manage high blood pressure) and steroids (used to help with inflammatory conditions) may contribute to type 2 diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes

This is the third type of diabetes. It is a temporary condition that develops in pregnant women with no previous history of diabetes. Most cases clear up after the mother has delivered her baby, but it involves an increased risk of developing diabetes for both mother and child. Risk factors include:

• Heredity: Diabetes tends to run in families, so having a parent, brother or sister with diabetes increases your risk.
• Being overweight: Being seriously overweight increases insulin resistance.
• Ethnic background: Hispanic, Native American, African-American and Asian women are at increased risk.

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What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Here are some diabetes signs and symptoms to look out for:

• Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
• Always hungry
• Unusual thirst
• Frequent urination
• Sudden weight loss
• Blurry vision
• Numb or tingling hands or feet
• Sexual problems
• Vaginal infections
• Frequent or recurring infections
• Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal.

It is also important to recognize that many people who have type 2 diabetes may display no symptoms.

Diabetes Screenings

Diabetes screenings are offered at various times during the year and can help identify people who have diabetes. If the screening shows that your blood glucose level is out of range, you will be encouraged to visit your primary care physician for an evaluation.