Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

There are 18.2 million people in the United States, or 6.3% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 13 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 5.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

Anyone 45 years old or older should consider getting tested for diabetes. If you are 45 or older and overweight it is strongly recommended that you get tested. If you are younger than 45, overweight, and have one or more risk factors, you should consider testing. Risk factors of diabetes include: family history, over the age of 40, hypertension, stress of illness or injury, overweight, African American, Native American, Hispanic American or Asian. People with diabetes have high blood sugar. Symptoms of high blood sugar include fatigue, increased thirst, increased urination, infections and cuts that don't heal, blurred vision, hunger and possibly unexplained weight loss.

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