We are in the midst of an epidemic of diabetes. The prevalence of the disease has increased so quickly, It almost behaves as if it is an infection (it isn't). Overall, 8% of people in the United States have diabetes.
90-95% have Type 2 Diabetes.
African Americans and Hispanic Americans have a 12-13% prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes. Among United States residents 65 years or older, the prevalence jumps to 25%. The upsurge in Type 2 Diabetes is due to the increasing prevalence of obesity and inactivity. Obesity and inactivity alone however are not enough to cause Type 2 Diabetes.
You must have also inherited insulin resistance.
Type 2 Diabetes is an inherited disease.
If your identical twin has Type 2 Diabetes, you are almost 100% likely to develop the disease. If both your parents have Type 2 Diabetes, your chance of developing Type 2 is 25%. Insulin resistance means your insulin doesn't work the way it should. If you inherit insulin resistance, your body's insulin is unable to effectively move sugar from your blood stream to your muscles and liver.
Consequently, sugar levels in your blood rise.
Once your blood sugar is above 125 mg/dl fasting (no food for 8 hours) or 200 mg/dl at a random time, you have diabetes. Resistance to insulin may be present 15-20 years before diabetes is diagnosed. Your initial response to insulin resistance is to make more insulin. Unfortunately, your ability to increase insulin secretion declines with time.
This is due to the death of your beta cells (or islet cells). These are the cells that make insulin. They are located in the pancreas. The combination of insulin resistance and reduction of insulin secretion ultimately causes blood sugar levels to rise. By the time diabetes is diagnosed, at least 50% of your beta cells have died. The exact cause of beta cell death in Type 2 Diabetes is unknown. It is likely multifactorial with a prominent inherited component.
Once Type 2 Diabetes develops, treatment options include diet and exercise, oral medications, and injectable medications.
All therapeutic options have advantages and disadvantages (to be reviewed in future articles).
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that the overweight people with any of the following risk factors should be screened for diabetes, irregardless of symptoms: high risk ethnic groups (African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans), evidence of acanthosis nigricans (darkening of skin creases, most commonly seen in the neck or underarms), high blood pressure, history of heart disease, history of pregnancy associated diabetes, 1st degree family member with diabetes, HA1c 5.7% or higher, HDL-cholesterol 250 mg/dl.
If you develop Type 2 Diabetes, learn as much as you can about the disease. Be proactive as soon as you are diagnosed. Smart, early management of your diabetes will have long-lasting benefits. Make a difference in your life today.
90-95% have Type 2 Diabetes.
African Americans and Hispanic Americans have a 12-13% prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes. Among United States residents 65 years or older, the prevalence jumps to 25%. The upsurge in Type 2 Diabetes is due to the increasing prevalence of obesity and inactivity. Obesity and inactivity alone however are not enough to cause Type 2 Diabetes.
You must have also inherited insulin resistance.
Type 2 Diabetes is an inherited disease.
If your identical twin has Type 2 Diabetes, you are almost 100% likely to develop the disease. If both your parents have Type 2 Diabetes, your chance of developing Type 2 is 25%. Insulin resistance means your insulin doesn't work the way it should. If you inherit insulin resistance, your body's insulin is unable to effectively move sugar from your blood stream to your muscles and liver.
Consequently, sugar levels in your blood rise.
Once your blood sugar is above 125 mg/dl fasting (no food for 8 hours) or 200 mg/dl at a random time, you have diabetes. Resistance to insulin may be present 15-20 years before diabetes is diagnosed. Your initial response to insulin resistance is to make more insulin. Unfortunately, your ability to increase insulin secretion declines with time.
This is due to the death of your beta cells (or islet cells). These are the cells that make insulin. They are located in the pancreas. The combination of insulin resistance and reduction of insulin secretion ultimately causes blood sugar levels to rise. By the time diabetes is diagnosed, at least 50% of your beta cells have died. The exact cause of beta cell death in Type 2 Diabetes is unknown. It is likely multifactorial with a prominent inherited component.
Once Type 2 Diabetes develops, treatment options include diet and exercise, oral medications, and injectable medications.
All therapeutic options have advantages and disadvantages (to be reviewed in future articles).
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that the overweight people with any of the following risk factors should be screened for diabetes, irregardless of symptoms: high risk ethnic groups (African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans), evidence of acanthosis nigricans (darkening of skin creases, most commonly seen in the neck or underarms), high blood pressure, history of heart disease, history of pregnancy associated diabetes, 1st degree family member with diabetes, HA1c 5.7% or higher, HDL-cholesterol 250 mg/dl.
If you develop Type 2 Diabetes, learn as much as you can about the disease. Be proactive as soon as you are diagnosed. Smart, early management of your diabetes will have long-lasting benefits. Make a difference in your life today.
0 comments:
Post a Comment