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Diabetes

According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes is a chronic, lifelong condition that affects approximately 20.8 million American children and adults. Out of these people, an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes and are receiving medication. However the remaining 6.2 million people are not even aware that they have the disease.

Causes and Risk Factors

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that is occurs when the body does not produce or optimally use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is required to convert sugar, starches, and other foods into the energy necessary for normal functioning of the body. Insufficient quantities of insulin cause hyperglycemia or abnormally high blood sugar levels. There are three major types of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes: The body fails to produce insulin.
Type 2 diabetes: The body fails to properly use insulin. This abnormality is also known as insulin resistance. It often occurs simultaneously with relative insulin deficiency. Most individuals who are suffering from this disorder have this type of diabetes.
Gestational diabetes: This type of diabetes only develops during pregnancy, especially among women who have a family history of diabetes. Women who have had gestational diabetes are more susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes in the near future.

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Risk Factors for Diabetes

Heredity: Several studies have revealed the correlation between genetic makeup and the vulnerability to develop diabetes. If you have a parent or a sibling who has diabetes, you are more likely to develop this condition.
Age: Type 1 diabetes is also known as juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes. It is typically observed among children and adolescents. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases as people get older, especially after the age of 40 because as people age, they tend to be less physically active, lose muscle mass, and gain weight. However type 2 diabetes is increasing dramatically among children, adolescents, and younger adults.
Obesity: Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, is increasing because of the rising obesity epidemic. It is believed that when there is more fatty tissue in the body, there is less insulin absorbed by the body cells.
Sedentary lifestyle: Limited or no physical activity is also a risk factor of developing diabetes. Regular exercise helps to keep weight under control and use glucose as an energy source.
Race: Diabetes is more common among African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian-Americans, and Pacific Islanders.

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