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By Melvin H.Gill
Type 1 diabetes
Results from the body's failure to produce insulin, the
hormone
that unlocks the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter
and fuel them. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are
diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
Having type 1 diabetes increases your risk for many serious
complications. Some complications of type 1 diabetes include:
heart disease (cardiovascular disease), blindness
(retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), and kidney damage
(nephropathy).
Type 2 diabetes
Results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body
fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin
deficiency. Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes
have
type 2 diabetes.
Having type 2 diabetes increases your risk for many serious
complications. Some complications of type 2 diabetes include:
heart disease (cardiovascular disease), blindness
(retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), and kidney damage
(nephropathy). Learn more about these complications and how to
cope with them.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women -
about 135,000 cases in the United States each year.
Because gestational diabetes can hurt you and your baby, you
need to start treatment quickly. Treatment for gestational
diabetes aims to keep blood glucose levels equal to those of
pregnant women who don't have gestational diabetes. Treatment
for gestational diabetes always includes special meal plans
and
scheduled physical activity. It may also include daily blood
glucose testing and insulin injections. You will need help
from
your doctor, nurse educator, and other members of your health
care team so that your treatment for gestational diabetes can
be changed as needed.
For the mother-to-be, treatment for gestational diabetes helps
lower the risk of a cesarean section birth that very large
babies may require. Sticking with your treatment for
gestational diabetes will give you a healthy pregnancy and
birth, and may help your baby avoid future poor health. (see
Diabetes Symptoms)
Pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person's blood
glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for
a
diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There are 41 million Americans
who
have pre-diabetes, in addition to the 20.8 million with
diabetes.
About The Author: 7% of the population has Diabetes!
Information on Diabetes Symptoms at
DiabetesSymptoms.eask.info
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