Diabetes is a common disease. Nearly 30.3 million people in the U.S. are challenged by this chronic malady everyday. What makes it a mystery is that the cause is unknown and the cure is unknown. For many victims, there is added mystery. Approximately 1/4 of those with the disease do not even know they have it!
Approximately 25.2% of all the diabetes cases in the U.S. occur in people who are 65 years of age or older. This illness is often linked to blindness, kidney disease, stroke, heart disease, nervous system issues and dental problems. So it should be no mystery to seniors that the prevalence and prevention of diabetes is something they should be concerned with.
Facts About Diabetes
There are 2 major types of diabetes.
Type I
Immune-Mediated
An autoimmune disease in which the body doesn’t produce any insulin. Once known as juvenile diabetes, now more adults have type 1 diabetes than children.
Facts
- Estimated 1.25 million cases in the U.S.
- Must take daily insulin injections.
- Symptoms develop quickly, typically a couple of weeks.
Type II
Non-Insulin Dependent
A metabolic disorder resulting from the body’s inability to make enough or properly use insulin. This is called insulin resistance
Facts
- 95% of the diabetes cases.
- Most affected are overweight or obese.
- With good nutrition and exercise it may be possible to manage (or reduce chances of developing).
Common Symptoms Of Both Types
- Frequent urination
- Unusual thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Unintentional weight loss
- Extreme fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Cuts/bruises – slow to heal
- Tingling/numbness in hand feet
Prediabetes
Prediabetes is diagnosed when your blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be classified as type 2 diabetes. About 84 million American adults have this condition, of which 90% don’t know they have it. A simple blood sugar test is all you need to find out if you have prediabetes.