Understanding Diabetes
Diabetes is a complex disease. The more you understand about diabetes, the better control you will have over the disease and the better you will feel about yourself.
What is Diabetes?
It is estimated that 18.2 million people, or 6.3% of the United States population, has diabetes. About 13 million cases have already been diagnosed; however, 5.2 million people are still unaware that they have this disease.
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Types
There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1, which usually occurs during childhood or adolescence; Type 2, the most common form of the disease which may occur at any age; and Gestational Diabetes, which usually occurs halfway through a pregnancy as a result of excessive hormone production in the body.
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Risk Factors
Often diabetes goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem harmless or go unrecognized. Recent studies indicate that early detection of diabetes and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.
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Glucose Goals
If you have diabetes, an important goal is to keep your blood glucose levels close to the normal range. This will help you feel better and prevent the long-term complications of diabetes. Self monitoring of blood glucose lets you know if you are reaching the recommended glucose goals.
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Diagnosis
Usually your doctor will do a blood test to determine whether or not you have diabetes or pre-diabetes. A diagnosis of diabetes can be made by several different tests.
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People Affected
While diabetes occurs in people of all ages and races, some groups have a higher risk of developing the disease than others.
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