Are You at Risk for Diabetes?
Diabetes currently affects 7% of the United States population,or 20.8 million Americans, and more than half are women.Diabetes is the 6th leading cause of death today, and a largepercentage of diabetics don't even know that they have thedis...
...ease. Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce orproperly use insulin. Insulin is a very important hormone thatis needed to convert sugar, starches and other food intoenergy--the energy we need for daily life. Although the cause ofdiabetes is unknown, certain genetic and environmental factorsdo seem to increase the likelihood of the disease. These includeobesity and lack of exercise. Diabetes is a disease that develops over time, and your healthcare provider can help you find out whether you are likely tobecome a diabetic. The Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or theOral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) is used to tell if someonehas pre-diabetes or diabetes. If she returns a blood glucoselevel above a certain amount she has the disease. The major types of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2diabetes, gestational diabetes and pre-diabetes. Type 1 diabetesresults when the body fails to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetesresults when the body fails to properly use insulin. MostAmerican diabetics have Type 2 diabetes. Pregnant women who havehigh blood sugar levels during pregnancy have gestationaldiabetes. Those with pre-diabetes have higher than normal bloodsugar levels, but not to the point where they reach thediagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Common symptoms of diabetes include: frequent urination,excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, extreme hunger,sudden vision changes, tingling or numbness in the hands orfeet, exhaustion much of the time, very dry skin, sores that areslow to heal and more infections than usual. Diabetics may havesome of these symptoms or none at all.For more information on diabetes issues including DiabetesMellitus - Type 1 Diabetes - Type 2 Diabetes GestationalDiabetes - Diabetes Statistics - Role of Insulin - Signs andSymptoms of Diabetes visit http://www.womenshealthwise.info
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