What is Diabetes?

Symptom Control and Management Strategies for Diabetics

Apr 7, 2009 Tanya Martinenko

Types of diabetes, who is at risk for developing the disease, and how to manage diabetes once diagnosed.

Rates of diagnosed cases of diabetes are on the increase in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that there are approximately 24 million people in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with diabetes, with another 57 million people considered to have prediabetes, a condition that increases a person's risk to develop diabetes. There are two forms of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes usually develops in childhood or adolescence, and accounts for approximately 5 to 10 percent of diabetes cases. It occurs when certain pancreatic cells are destroyed by the body's immune system and as a result are no longer able to produce insulin. There is no known prevention or cure for Type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), is a disease in which either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the body does not properly utilize the insulin it makes. In other words, people with Type 2 diabetes have problems storing and converting food to energy. Type 2 diabetes was previously called Adult Onset Diabetes, because it only appeared in adults. Although children can develop diabetes, it is most common after age 30, and the risk for developing the disease increases with age. Most people with diabetes fall into the Type 2 category.

Risk Factors for Developing Type 2 Diabetes

People who meet one or more of the following criteria have an increased risk of developing diabetes:

Overweight
Age (particularly over 45)
Lack of physical activity
High blood pressure
High cholesterol levels
Family history of diabetes
Belonging to certain high-risk ethnic populations (African, Asian, Hispanic, Aboriginal)

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

Unfortunately, symptoms of Type 2 diabetes often do not present themselves for many years, and patients may not receive a proper diagnosis until the disease has progressed to a stage where complications have begun to set in. Anyone who experiences some or all of the following symptoms should seek immediate consultation with their physician:

Increased thirst
Increased hunger
Fatigue
Increased urination, particularly at night
Unexplained weight loss
Blurred vision
Cuts and/or bruises that are slow to heal
Dry, itchy skin
Male impotence
Tingling or numbness in hands or feet

Managing Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes can lead to many complications, and in some cases it can be fatal. Patients with diabetes need to learn how to successfully control the disease in order to lower these potential risks. The most important goal for diabetes management is to maintain blood glucose levels within the normal range as much as possible. Nutrition and weight control is often the key to diabetes management. The majority of diabetics are overweight, and losing excess pounds can help reduce blood glucose levels.

For some people, eating a healthy diet and maintaining their weight can be enough to successfully control their diabetes. Others may need to take medications to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Diabetes medications are often taken orally, but if this is not sufficient, a physician may prescribe insulin injections. People with diabetes will need to regularly monitor their blood glucose levels at home using a blood glucose meter.

Above all, diabetes sufferers need to stay educated in order to successfully manage their condition. Many hospitals offer programs to educate diabetes patients. Pharmacists and nurses are also excellent resources for diabetes education. The more knowledge one has about their condition, the easier it will be to manage on a daily basis.

The copyright of the article What is Diabetes? in General Medicine is owned by Tanya Martinenko. Permission to republish What is Diabetes? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Monitoring Blood Glucose Levels for Diabetes