Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the insulin-producing beta cells within the pancreas are gradually destroyed and eventually fail to produce insulin.
Demographics: Type 1 diabetes accounts for between 5 and 10% of all diagnosed diabetes in the United States. Although type 1 diabetes develops most often in children and young adults (one in every 400-500 children has type 1 diabetes), the disease can be diagnosed at any age and is equally distributed among males and females. Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes is more common in Caucasians than in those of Latino, African-American, or other non-Caucasian backgrounds.
Risk factors for developing type 1 diabetes may include: family history, autoimmune diseases, ethnicity, and history of childhood viruses.
Treatment: People with type 1 diabetes require insulin to supplement or replace the failing insulin production of their pancreas. Insulin may be delivered by a syringe or other injection device, through an infusion device called an insulin pump, or inhaled. Good nutrition, careful monitoring of carbohydrate and fat intake, and regular physical activity are also important to controlling type 1 diabetes and preventing long-term complications.
Complications: Over time, high blood glucose levels can cause damage to virtually every system in the body, including: the central nervous system, vision, cardiovascular, kidney, skin, sexual, teeth/gums, and musculoskeletal.
Unlike type 1 diabetes, in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, most people with type 2 diabetes are still able to produce insulin at diagnosis. However, the insulin they produce is unable to perform its primary job, which is helping the body's cells use glucose for energy.
Demographics: Type 2 diabetes is more common in adults age 50 and older. People of African-American, American Indian, Asian American, Latino, and Pacific Islander background are even more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than Caucasians.
Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes may include: obesity, heredity, ethnicity (see above demographics), hypertension, high cholesterol, increased age, inactivity, or having prediabetes or gestational diabetes.
Treatment: First-line type 2 diabetes treatments include dietary changes and an exercise program. In cases where blood glucose levels are dangerous, insulin or other prescribed medications may be administered for a short or long period of time.
Complications: Over time, high blood glucose levels can cause damage to virtually every system in the body, including: the central nervous system, vision, cardiovascular, kidney, skin, sexual, teeth/gums, and musculoskeletal.
Prediabetes is a precursor to type 2 diabetes, characterized by higher than normal blood glucose levels and insulin resistance. It is estimated that 41 million Americans between the ages of 40 and 74 are living with prediabetes, and most remain unaware of their condition. Without intervention and appropriate treatment, people with prediabetes are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes within 10 years.
Gestational diabetes, diabetes that occurs in pregnancy and resolves at birth, occurs in approximately three to eight pregnancies out of every 100 in America. Risk factors for developing gestational diabetes include: family history of diabetes, being overweight, having prediab
etes, and having given birth previously to a child weighing 9 pounds or more. In addition, the same populations that are more at risk for type 2 diabetes-Latino Americans, African-American, Pacific Islander, and Asian Americans — are also at greater risk for gestational diabetes.
