Diabetes

is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy. The cause of diabetes is unknown, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles. There are 18.2 million people in the United States, or 6.3% of the population, who have diabetes. Nearly one-third of people with diabetes remain undiagnosed, unaware that they have the disease.

The major types of diabetes include Type 1 diabetes, which results from the body's failure to produce insulin, Type 2 diabetes, which results from insulin resistance combined with relative insulin deficiency, Gestational diabetes, which affects about 4 % of all pregnant women in the U.S. annually, and Pre-diabetes, which occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. If you are concerned or feel that you might be at risk for diabetes, it is important that you consult with your family doctor immediately. There are many public resources available to provide information on prevention and treatment of diabetes.

Diabetes