Understanding the future of diabetes in America requires first gaining some basic knowledge regarding this medical condition.
It occurs when an individual has high blood sugar levels, due to the body producing less than the necessary amount of insulin or because the cells do not respond to insulin.
The resulting symptoms are increased hunger, thirst, and frequent urination.
Medical professionals have identified three main kinds of diabetes and these are type 1, type 2, and gestational.
Type 1 occurs when the body does not produce insulin and the substance must then be injected into the body.
The failure of cells to properly use insulin is in known as insulin resistance and this, sometimes combined with an insulin deficiency, is a characteristic of type 2.
Gestational occurs when a pregnant woman who has not previously had the condition, develops a high blood glucose level during her pregnancy.
There are other less common forms of the disease, including congenital, steroid, monogenic, and a condition related to cystic fibrosis.
All forms are treatable, though type 1 and 2 are chronic, and type 2 requires the use of medications.
If not properly treated, the condition can result in complications such as retinal damage, chronic renal failure, and cardiovascular disease.
According to statistics gathered by the American Diabetes Association in 2007, 7.
8 percent of the U.
S.
population, or 23.
6 million adults and children, have this disease.
At least 1.
6 million new cases are diagnosed annually in individuals 20 years of age or more.
It is estimated that 5.
7 million U.
S.
citizens are currently undiagnosed, a very sobering fact considering that the condition was the seventh leading cause of death in the nation as reported on death certificates in the year 2006.
The cost of this disease in the year 2007 reached $174 billion for direct medical expenses and items such as work loss, disability, and premature mortality.
Type 2 is preventable or delayed by engaging in a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise and maintenance of a healthy weight.
As the U.
S.
population increases and more people are diagnosed as overweight or obese, it is likely that the number of people developing this disease will increase, as will the costs to treat it.
The future of diabetes in America does not look bright because though preventable, more individuals are likely to develop type 2 symptoms due to their excessive weight and lack of exercise.
This chronic condition is treatable, but it should not come down to that if it can be prevented.
Literally, millions of U.
S.
citizens will be diagnosed with this disease in the coming year.
Whenever possible, a person should take steps to reduce their risks and help to make our country healthier.
It occurs when an individual has high blood sugar levels, due to the body producing less than the necessary amount of insulin or because the cells do not respond to insulin.
The resulting symptoms are increased hunger, thirst, and frequent urination.
Medical professionals have identified three main kinds of diabetes and these are type 1, type 2, and gestational.
Type 1 occurs when the body does not produce insulin and the substance must then be injected into the body.
The failure of cells to properly use insulin is in known as insulin resistance and this, sometimes combined with an insulin deficiency, is a characteristic of type 2.
Gestational occurs when a pregnant woman who has not previously had the condition, develops a high blood glucose level during her pregnancy.
There are other less common forms of the disease, including congenital, steroid, monogenic, and a condition related to cystic fibrosis.
All forms are treatable, though type 1 and 2 are chronic, and type 2 requires the use of medications.
If not properly treated, the condition can result in complications such as retinal damage, chronic renal failure, and cardiovascular disease.
According to statistics gathered by the American Diabetes Association in 2007, 7.
8 percent of the U.
S.
population, or 23.
6 million adults and children, have this disease.
At least 1.
6 million new cases are diagnosed annually in individuals 20 years of age or more.
It is estimated that 5.
7 million U.
S.
citizens are currently undiagnosed, a very sobering fact considering that the condition was the seventh leading cause of death in the nation as reported on death certificates in the year 2006.
The cost of this disease in the year 2007 reached $174 billion for direct medical expenses and items such as work loss, disability, and premature mortality.
Type 2 is preventable or delayed by engaging in a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise and maintenance of a healthy weight.
As the U.
S.
population increases and more people are diagnosed as overweight or obese, it is likely that the number of people developing this disease will increase, as will the costs to treat it.
The future of diabetes in America does not look bright because though preventable, more individuals are likely to develop type 2 symptoms due to their excessive weight and lack of exercise.
This chronic condition is treatable, but it should not come down to that if it can be prevented.
Literally, millions of U.
S.
citizens will be diagnosed with this disease in the coming year.
Whenever possible, a person should take steps to reduce their risks and help to make our country healthier.
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