Diabetes Facts: Did You Know?

1. Diabetes Can Be Controlled! Through appropriate food intake, physical activity, medication (if needed) and blood glucose monitoring, a person can take charge of diabetes and delay or prevent these devastating complications.

2. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause or lead to:
* Blindness
* Kidney disease
* Nerve disease
* Limb amputations
* Heart disease
* Stroke

3. Diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in the United States. It is a silent disease, as many people first become aware that they have diabetes when they develop one of its life-threatening complications (see above).

4. Diabetes occurs in people of all ages and races; however, African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, as well as the elderly, have a higher risk.

5. There are two main kinds of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2.

According to the American Diabetes Association, Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Only 5-10% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease. With the help of insulin therapy and other treatments, even young children with type 1 diabetes can learn to manage their condition and live long, healthy, happy lives.

According to the American Diabetes Association, Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and many more are unaware they are at high risk. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. When you eat food, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications.