Diabetes is the fourth-leading cause of death by disease in the United States; this year, more than 178,000 will die from the disease and its related complications.
Blindness. Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in people ages 20-74. Each year 12,000 to 24,000 people lose their sight because of diabetes.
Kidney Disease. Ten to twenty-one percent of all people with diabetes develop kidney disease. In 1992, 19,800 people initiated treatment for end stage renal disease (kidney failure) because of diabetes.
Nerve Disease and Amputations. About 60-70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage, which, in severe forms, can lead to lower limb amputations. In fact, diabetes is the most frequent cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations. The risk of a leg amputation is 15-40 times greater for a person with diabetes. Each year 54,000 people lose their foot or leg to diabetes.
Heart Disease and Stroke. People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to have heart disease which is present in 75 percent of diabetes-related deaths (more than 77,000 deaths due to heart disease annually). And, they are 2 to 4 times more likely to suffer a stroke.
Type 1. An autoimmune disease in which the body does not produce any insulin, most often occurring in children and young adults. People with type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections to stay alive. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5-10 percent of diabetes.Return to top of pageType 2. A metabolic disorder resulting from the body's inability to make enough, or properly use, insulin. It is the most common form of the disease. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95 percent of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is nearing epidemic proportions, due to an increased number of older Americans, and a greater prevalence of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
| Type 1 Diabetes: | Type 2 Diabetes: |
| Frequent urination | Any of the type 1 symptoms |
| Unusual thirst | Frequent infections |
| Extreme hunger | Blurred vision |
| Unusual weight loss | Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal |
| Extreme fatigue | Tingling/numbness in the hands or feet |
| Irritability | Recurring skin, gum or bladder infections |
Your first step is to see your health care practitioner. He or she will prescribe a daily treatment plan.
If you have type 2, the plan will include several lifestyle modifications such as a healthy diet, weight loss, regular exercise, stopping smoking, and regular check ups. You can often control type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise-- alone. But some people also need medicine -- either diabetes pills or insulin shots. Many people find their diabetes gets better when they follow their treatment plan.
For people who have type 1 diabetes, therapy will consist of insulin shots along with diet modifications.
Your health care practitioner may also want you to test your blood-sugar levels regularly. Testing will let you know if your diabetes is in control. Be sure to ask how to do these tests.
On the other hand, a person can become very ill if blood sugar levels rise too high, a condition known as hyperglycemia. Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, which can occur in people with type 1 or type 2, are both potentially life-threatening emergencies.