Diabetes Focus Area
Summary
 Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose (also referred to as blood sugar) levels are above normal. People with diabetes have problems converting food to energy because the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the cells in the muscles, liver and fat do not use insulin properly. As a result, the amount of glucose in the blood is too high. This is an indication that your body is getting little or no fuel.
Diabetes can occur in anyone. However, if you have close relatives with the disease you are more likely to develop it. Other risk factors include obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and physical inactivity. It is important for you to know your diabetes risk factors-many of which are preventable.
Diabetes is more common among Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders. Women who develop diabetes while pregnant (a condition called gestational diabetes) are more likely to develop diabetes later in life. If you are over 40 and overweight, you are more likely to develop diabetes. The incidence of type 2 diabetes in adolescents is growing due to the increase in weight gain in children.
Although you can live a long, full life with diabetes, the disease will affect the way you live. You can control diabetes for many years through self-management. Self-management means that you choose to participate in your medical care and in the management of your disease.
Take comfort in knowing that scientific research shows that the time you invest in yourself will improve your health and your quality of life now and in the future.
Complete the Diabetes Risk Assessment to evaluate how well you are managing your diabetes. The WorldDoc Diabetes Report Card will give you specific health goals and recommendations. |
