The American Diabetes Association estimates that 18.2 million people in America suffer from diabetes. Diabetes will strike one out of every five elderly Americans. Or, to look at it another way, half of all people with diabetes are over the age of 60. Diabetes can cause blindness, kidney failure, and heart failure.
Diabetes is when glucose isn’t moved to the cells where it can be used. Instead, the glucose builds up in your bloodstream, causing blood sugar levels to rise.
There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. It affects 5-10% of people with diabetes and can start at an early age.
When you have type 1 diabetes, your own immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Medical experts are not sure what causes the immune system to behave this way. It could be caused by an infection, or something in the diet.
By far the most common kind of diabetes is type 2. In type 2 diabetes your body produces insulin, but not enough. Or your body may have developed insulin resistance.
A new study has some encouraging news about the diabetes epidemic. More than half of diabetics are reaching recommended targets for blood sugar levels. This is up from only one-third in 2001. There has been a 44% improvement in the managing of diabetes.
Researchers studied 22.7 million lab tests that measured the average amount of glucose in each person’s blood.
The researchers caution, however, that the rate of improvement appears to have slowed. The researchers feel that the initial improvement in blood sugar levels was the result of more diabetics taking medication.
Lead researcher Dr. Francine Kaufman of the University of California reported what she felt was needed next in the battle against diabetes. “People with diabetes [should] get out and get walking, and lose 5 to 10 lbs.”
The study also brought to light some trouble areas. The group with the overall poorest control is men.
The study also found that diabetics struggle with blood sugar levels more in the winter. The researchers believe this is because people tend to overeat in the winter, and they don’t get as much exercise.
Dr. Kaufman urges people not to dismiss the threat of diabetes. She ended the study by saying diabetes is “a life- taking, life-altering disease if you don’t manage it.”
Talk to your healthcare provider and get your blood sugar levels tested regularly.
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Tags: cure diabetes, exercise, glucose
