Carolina Apothecary: Diabetes Information

General Information: 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 with diabetes, unfortunately, 5.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

In order to determine whether or not a patient has pre-diabetes or diabetes, health care providers conduct a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Either test can be used to diagnose pre-diabetes or diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends the FPG because it is easier, faster, and less expensive to perform.

With the FPG test, a fasting blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dl signals pre-diabetes. A person with a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dl or higher has diabetes.

In the OGTT test, a person's blood glucose level is measured after a fast and two hours after drinking a glucose-rich beverage. If the two-hour blood glucose level is between 140 and 199 mg/dl, the person tested has pre-diabetes. If the two-hour blood glucose level is at 200 mg/dl or higher, the person tested has diabetes.

Difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: Type 1 results from the body's failure to produce insulin, which is the hormone that "unlocks" the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. A smaller percentage of people diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes, about 5-10%.

Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistanc, which is a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin, combined with relative insulin deficiency. About 90-95% (17 million) of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Symptoms: Recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.

Prevalence of total diabetes in the United States, all ages -- United States, 2002

Prevalence of total diabetes among people under 20 years of age -- United States, 2002

About 206,000 people under 20 years of age have diabetes. This represents 0.25% of all people in this age group.
Approximately one in every 400 to 500 children and adolescents has type 1 diabetes.
Clinic-based reports and regional studies indicate that type 2 diabetes is becoming more common among Native American/American Indian, African American, and Hispanic and Latino children and adolescents.

Prevalence of total diabetes among people aged 20 years or older -- United States, 2002

Age 20 years or older: 18 million. 8.7% of all people in this age group have diabetes.
Age 60 years or older: 8.6 million. 18.3% of all people in this age group have diabetes.
Men: 8.7 million. 8.7% of all men aged 20 years or older have diabetes.
Women: 9.3 million. 8.7% of all women aged 20 years or older have diabetes.

Statistics and some information taken from American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org


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	This page lists a brief summary of information about diabetes, designed to help you understand your condition and put you into contact with additional resources. For more extensive information, please visit the sites in the adjacent table.	Additional Diabetes Resources: American Diabetes Association National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse Children with Diabetes
	General Diabetes Information Difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Diabetes Symptoms Diabetes Statistics General Information: 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 with diabetes, unfortunately, 5.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease. In order to determine whether or not a patient has pre-diabetes or diabetes, health care providers conduct a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Either test can be used to diagnose pre-diabetes or diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends the FPG because it is easier, faster, and less expensive to perform. With the FPG test, a fasting blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dl signals pre-diabetes. A person with a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dl or higher has diabetes. In the OGTT test, a person's blood glucose level is measured after a fast and two hours after drinking a glucose-rich beverage. If the two-hour blood glucose level is between 140 and 199 mg/dl, the person tested has pre-diabetes. If the two-hour blood glucose level is at 200 mg/dl or higher, the person tested has diabetes. Difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: Type 1 results from the body's failure to produce insulin, which is the hormone that "unlocks" the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. A smaller percentage of people diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes, about 5-10%. Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistanc, which is a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin, combined with relative insulin deficiency. About 90-95% (17 million) of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Symptoms: Recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes. Some diabetes symptoms include: Frequent urination Excessive thirst Extreme hunger Unusual weight loss Increased fatigue Irritability Blurry vision Diabetes Statistics: Prevalence of total diabetes in the United States, all ages -- United States, 2002 Total: 18.2 million people - 6.3% of the population - have diabetes. Diagnosed: 13 million people Undiagnosed: 5.2 million people Prevalence of total diabetes among people under 20 years of age -- United States, 2002 About 206,000 people under 20 years of age have diabetes. This represents 0.25% of all people in this age group. Approximately one in every 400 to 500 children and adolescents has type 1 diabetes. Clinic-based reports and regional studies indicate that type 2 diabetes is becoming more common among Native American/American Indian, African American, and Hispanic and Latino children and adolescents. Prevalence of total diabetes among people aged 20 years or older -- United States, 2002 Age 20 years or older: 18 million. 8.7% of all people in this age group have diabetes. Age 60 years or older: 8.6 million. 18.3% of all people in this age group have diabetes. Men: 8.7 million. 8.7% of all men aged 20 years or older have diabetes. Women: 9.3 million. 8.7% of all women aged 20 years or older have diabetes. Top of page Statistics and some information taken from American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org
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Diabetic Equipment and Supplies

Diabetes Information and Resources