Diabetes

The Disease is Diabetes and it is a chronic disease that develops when the pancreas cannot

produce enough insulin, or the body cannot use it properly, to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells,

where it is used for

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Diabetes develops so slowly that symptoms may not be present, causing the disease to go

undiagnosed for years.

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People that have more chances of getting Diabetes are:People who have a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes have a greater chance of

developing the disease. In the United States, adults who have a parent with type 2 diabetes

have a four times greater chance of developing the disease than adults without a parental

history of the disease; the risk is nearly eight times higher when both parents have type 2

diabetes.

African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian-Americans, and Pacific Islanders are at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes than whites.

The risk for developing type 2 diabetes increases with age; however, the number of children

being diagnosed with the disease is increasing. Usually, children who develop type 2 diabetes

have a family history of the disease, are overweight, and are physically inactive.Children

whose mothers had gestational diabetes have an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes

later in life.

History of gestational diabetes or delivery of a baby weighing more than 9 lb(4 kg). Women

who have had gestational diabetes or who have had a large baby are at greater risk for

developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Having polycystic ovary syndrome. These women are at greater risk for prediabetes and type

2 diabetes.

People who weighed less than 5.5 lb(2.5 kg) at birth are more likely to develop type 2

diabetes later in life.

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Each year, almost 300,000 people die from diabetes or its complications.

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One must exercise regularly, a person should not eat to much sweets or fatty foods.

Depending on how elevated your blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin are at the time of

your diagnosis, you may be given a chance to lower your blood sugar level without medication.

The best way to do this is to lose weight if you are obese and begin an exercise program.

This will generally be tried for 3-6 months, and then your blood sugar and glycosylated

hemoglobin will be rechecked. If they remain high, you will be started on an oral medication,

usually a sulfonylurea or biguanide (Metformin), to help control your blood sugar level.

Even if you are on medication, it is still important to eat a healthy diet, lose weight if you are

overweight, and engage in moderate physical activity as often as possible.

Your health care provider will monitor your progress on medication very carefully at first. It

is important to get just the right dose of the right medication to get your blood sugar level in

the recommended range with the fewest side effects.