General Information About Diabetes

Diabetes is a group of diseases in which defects in insulin production, activity, or both cause high blood sugar (glucose) levels. The three most common types of diabetes account for 95-99% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Type I Diabetes Mellitus (previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM] or juvenile-onset diabetes) accounts for 5-10% of all cases of diabetes in the U.S. Type I diabetics lack the ability to produce insulin due to autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells located in the endocrine cells of the pancreas. Onset typically occurs in children or young adults, but can develop at any age. Although there are no known methods to prevent Type I diabetes, some risk factors may be autoimmune, genetic or environmental.

Type II Diabetes Mellitus (previously called non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes) accounts for 90-95% of all cases of diabetes in the U.S. Type II diabetics typically develop a resistance to insulin, followed by the eventual inability to produce the hormone effectively. An increased predisposition to develop Type II diabetes is associated with obesity, older age, a family history of diabetes, a history of gestational diabetes, impaired glucose metabolism, physical inactivity, and race/ethnicity. Prevention of Type II diabetes has been associated with weight loss and an increase in physical activity.

Gestational diabetes develops in some pregnant women and is hallmarked by intolerance to glucose (higher that normal blood sugar levels). Occurrence of gestational diabetes is more common among obese women, those with a family history of diabetes, and is more frequently seen among African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, and American Indians. Additionally, gestational diabetes increases the likelihood of the woman developing diabetes by 20-50% over the next 5-10 years and approximately 5-10% of women with gestational diabetes will be diagnosed with Type II diabetes postpartum.

Type II diabetes is a disease of adaptation due to the inability of the body to appropriately handle the stress of consistently fluctuating blood sugar levels resulting in insulin resistance. The American diet has changed significantly over the past century as technology and industry have provided more convenient ways to provide food to even the most rural areas. Along with an increase in readily available food sources, the incidence of insidious diseases such as Type II diabetes, obesity, syndrome X (metabolic syndrome), and “pre-diabetes” have also increased. So, when making healthy changes to the diet and lifestyle of you and your family remember: in general, the more processed a food, the less inherent nutritional value it contains.

Dr. Richard Robles
http://www.lucidforce.com/

Reference:
For more traditional information regarding diabetes, please visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/general05.htm#what