The Disease

Diabetes remains the 7th leading cause of death in the United States, with 79,535 death certificates listing it as the underlying cause of death, and a total of 252,806 death certificates listing diabetes as an underlying or contributing cause of death in 2015.

“Are You At Risk?” Screening

The Symptoms

Insulin is an essential hormone. Its job is to move glucose, the fuel we need for the millions of cells within our bodies to function properly, into our cells.  When this does not function correctly the following symptoms may appear:

  • Thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Dry skin
  • Blurred vision
  • Hungry
  • Fatigue
  • Slow wound healing
  • Unexplained Weight loss

What About
Pre-Diabetes?

In 2015, 84.1 million Americans age 18 and older had a prediabetes condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. People with prediabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and for heart disease and stroke. Other names for prediabetes are impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose.

Race/Ethnicity Disparity

The rates of diagnosed diabetes in adults by race/ethnic background are:

  • 7.4% of non-Hispanic whites
  • 8.0% of Asian Americans
  • 12.1% of Hispanics
  • 12.7% of non-Hispanic blacks
  • 15.1% of American Indians/Alaskan Natives

Are You
At Risk?

The following factors contribute to the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes:

  • Overweight
  • Physical inactivity
  • High blood pressure
  • Abnormal cholesterol levels
  • Having pre-diabetes
  • family history of diabetes
  • History of gestational diabetes
  • Over age 45

What’s The Difference?
Type 1 vs Type 2

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease whereas Type 2 diabetes is a disease of insulin resistance and is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for 90% of all cases.

One thing that is not different between type 1 and type 2 diabetes: if diabetes is not well managed over time, serious complications can develop.

Read the full article explaining the difference.

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