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Information on Diabetes in Adults

Diabetes is a serious disorder that affects millions of adult Americans. Diabetes is caused by the body's failure to produce or effectively use insulin, a hormone that converts sugars and starches into energy needed to live. Without prompt and effective treatment, diabetes can lead to kidney, eye and nerve damage, and can potentially cause death. In most cases, a combination of medications and lifestyle changes are necessary to manage blood sugar levels.

  1. Significance

    • Diabetes is a major public health threat. The disease affects an estimated 23.5 million Americans, and another 57 million more have pre-diabetes. As obesity rates increase, the number of adults in the United States with type 2 diabetes also increases. Diabetes awareness is crucial to preserving health and preventing complications. Unfortunately, 25 percent of people with diabetes are unaware of their condition, according to the American Diabetes Association.

    Types

    • The four major types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes and pre-diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body fails to produce the hormone insulin. Although type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed during childhood, the condition persists throughout life. In type 2 diabetes, the body is unable to use insulin effectively. Failure to produce sufficient quantities of insulin may also be present. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy, affecting approximately 4 percent of all pregnant women. Pre-diabetes is defined by the American Diabetes Association as a condition that occurs when blood glucose levels are abnormally high, but are not high enough to warrant a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of diabetes range from mild to severe and life threatening. Symptoms are similar for all types of diabetes, and include excessive thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, weight loss, fatigue, blurry vision and irritability. When symptoms are mild, the condition may remain undiagnosed for many years. A fasting blood test can help diagnose mild cases of diabetes.

    Treatment

    • Effective treatment of diabetes is crucial to manage blood glucose levels and prevent complications from developing. Without proper treatment, diabetes can be fatal. Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin injections, as the pancreas in those with this type of diabetes is damaged and cannot make insulin on its own. The amount of insulin required depends on the individual person and dietary habits. Insulin is also used to treat type 2 diabetes, although a drug called metformin controls blood sugar levels for many people. Mild cases of type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and pre-diabetes may be treated with diet and exercise.

    Complications

    • Untreated or poorly treated diabetes can lead to a number of serious complications, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetics who fail to properly manage their blood glucose levels are at an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, retinopathy, erectile dysfunction, kidney disease and failure, gastroparesis, gum disease and peripheral vascular disease. Diabetes may also cause coma or death.

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