Types

• Diabetics are commonly affected by two main types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes is when the body fails to produce insulin, and type 2 diabetes is referred to as insulin-resistant because the body fails to use the insulin produced by the pancreas. Type 1 diabetics represent approximately 5 to 10 percent of the United States population who have been diagnosed with diabetes. Most of the remaining cases of diabetes are type 2. A third type of diabetes that affects some women during pregnancy is gestational diabetes, when a woman has high blood sugar levels during her pregnancy. A potential cause of gestational diabetes is hormones from the placenta affecting the mother's insulin production.
  
  

Identification

• Symptoms to look for in diabetics are increased hunger, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss or weight gain, blurred vision, tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, yeast or vaginal infections, dry mouth, dry skin, cuts that are slow to heal, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. People with diabetes may experience a few or several of these symptoms. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, see a doctor for some tests. If possible, bring a written record explaining the frequency and specific symptoms you've been experiencing.
  
  

Effects

• Diabetics will have to make some changes in their lifestyle to effectively manage and treat their diabetes. Type 1 diabetics will require daily insulin treatments along with healthy eating and physical activity to manage their diabetes. Some people with type 2 diabetes will also require insulin to control their blood sugar levels. Dietary changes, weight loss, exercise and oral medications are also treatments for managing type 2 diabetes. Diabetics need to test their blood sugar levels several times a day with a blood glucose monitor. It is also important to see a doctor regularly for help monitoring your diabetes.
  
  

Misconceptions

• Do not be misinformed by believing a person only has to worry about diabetes if he is overweight or obese. Diabetes can affect a person of any size. In fact, some cases of untreated type 1 diabetes can result in weight loss. Diabetes is also not just a disease that affects adults. In the United States, nearly 24 million children and adults have diabetes. In addition, there are almost 6 million cases of children and adults living with undiagnosed diabetes.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• Although some people have a genetic predisposition to developing diabetes at some point in their life, there are preventive measures that can be taken for those with type 2 diabetes. Maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise, not consuming a lot of alcohol, not smoking, and taking medication to manage high blood pressure or cholesterol levels are all preventive measures for type 2 diabetes. For those with any type of diabetes, taking proper care of yourself by taking your required medication and following your doctor's orders can prevent some of the potential diabetic complications such as blindness, kidney failure or death.