We've all heard about diabetes mellitus (or simply diabetes), usually in reference to how the disease is becoming so prevalent. More than 25 million Americans have it, according to the American Diabetes Association.
But not many people know what it is and how they can avoid getting it.
The food we eat is digested into nutrients, which are then absorbed by the body. Protein turns into amino acids, fat into fatty acids, and starch (carbohydrates) into glucose.
Glucose is transported by the blood to the cells, where it's used for energy. But to enter the cells, insulin is needed. Without it, the level of glucose in the bloodstream gets too high. It can damage the blood vessels, cause kidney failure, impotence, blindness, and risks for amputation.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body still produces insulin, but the cells have become resistant to it. For a while, the body can compensate by producing more insulin, but the cells become even more resistant. When the body can no longer produce enough insulin, type 2 diabetes has occurred.
The largest risk factor is being overweight. Others include age, a family history of the disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and lack of exercise.
Before developing type 2, people almost always have pre-diabetes, a condition marked by a blood glucose level that's too high. There are no symptoms, so those with pre-diabetes, often don't realize they have it. But their doctors will warn them, and they should listen.
Because it could take some time for pre-diabetes to turn into a full-blown case, there's an opportunity for prevention. Studies show that changes in diet, weight loss and exercise can prevent diabetes in up to 60 percent of cases.
Once diabetes is diagnosed, patients have it in their power to reduce the most serious side effects. By maintaining glycemic control, keeping blood pressure under control and improving their cholesterol, they can reduce the risk of complications such as heart disease, nerve problems, kidney and eye diseases by one-third to one-half.
