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Healthy Living: Diabetes...The Facts

Do You Know the Warning Signs of Diabetes?

Diabetes is a serious disease that can lead to blindness, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and amputations. Some people with diabetes have symptoms. If you or someone you know experience extreme thirst, frequent urination and/or unexplained weight loss, you should contact your doctor immediately.

You are at increased risk if you are:
A member of one of the following ethnic groups:
*African American
*Hispanic/Latino
*American Indian
*Asian American
*Pacific Islander
*Over the age of 45
*Underactive
*Overweight
*Someone with a family history of diabetes
*A woman who has had a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth

The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading health organization supporting diabetes research and public education.

For more information, please call 1-800-DIABETES or visit
The American Diabetes Association

Who Has Diabetes?

Who suffers from diabetes? Just look around you, and you’re bound to know someone. That’s why the American Diabetes Association is helping the 16 million Americans with diabetes. Our organization is leading the way to helping people – all people – with diabetes lead a healthier life. And we’re the leading organization that’s funding research and education, as well as advocating the rights of those affected by diabetes. If all of our efforts work, someday soon we’ll find a cure.

What’s more, diabetes costs taxpayers and businesses over $98 billion a year in health costs – so we’re also looking out for the health of the economy. The effects of diabetes to our country can’t be underestimated.

Diabetic Neuropathy Information Page

NINDS Diabetic Neuropathy Information Page

t is Diabetic Neuropathy?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done

What is Diabetic Neuropathy?

Diabetic neuropathy, a nerve disorder caused by diabetes, is characterized by a loss or reduction of sensation in the feet, and in some cases the hands, and pain and weakness in the feet. The symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, which vary among patients, are often slight at first. In fact, some mild cases may go unnoticed for a long time. The first sign of the disease is usually numbness, pain, or tingling in the hands, feet, or legs. Occasionally, diabetic neuropathy can flare up suddenly, causing weakness, burning sensations in the extremities, and weight loss. Nerve damage caused by diabetes generally occurs over a period of years and may lead to problems with internal organs including the digestive tract, heart, and sexual organs. These problems can then tend to cause indigestion, diarrhea or constipation, dizziness, bladder infections, and impotence.

The loss of sensation in the feet is important as it may increase the possibility of injuries of which the patient is not aware. These foot injuries can develop into ulcers or lesions that can become infected. In some cases, ulcers may not heal and amputation may be required.

Is there any treatment?

The goal of treatment for diabetic neuropathy is to relieve discomfort and prevent further tissue damage. The first step is to bring blood sugar levels under control by diet and medication. Another important part of treatment involves taking special care of the feet. Analgesics, low doses of antidepressants, and some anticonvulsant medications may be prescribed for relief of pain, burning, or tingling. Some patients may find that walking regularly, taking warm baths, or using elastic stockings may help relieve leg pain.

What is the prognosis?

Prognosis for diabetic neuropathy depends largely on management of diabetes, the underlying condition. Treating the diabetes may halt progression and improve symptoms of the neuropathy, but recovery is slow. The painful sensations of diabetic neuropathy may become severe enough to cause depression in some patients.

What research is being done?

The NINDS conducts and supports research on diabetic neuropathy aimed at increasing understanding of the disorder and finding ways to prevent and cure it. New medications are currently being examined to assess improvement or stabilization of neuropathic symptoms.

NINDS Diabetic Neuropathy Information Page

Center for Disease Control: Diabetes Facts

Diabetes
Updated September 15, 1998
Media Relations Division
(404) 639-3286

*Diabetes mellitus is a disease caused by a deficiency of insulin, which is a hormone secreted by the pancreas.

*About 16 million Americans have diabetes, but only about 10 million have been diagnosed. Approximately 798,000 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed annually in the United States.

*The number of persons diagnosed with diabetes has increased sixfold, from 1.6 million in 1958 to 10 million in 1997. Diabetes is the nation's seventh leading killer and contributed to about 187,800 deaths in 1995.

*Diabetes is classified into two main types: type 1 and type 2 . Type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent), affects 5%-10% of those with diabetes and most often occurs during childhood or adolescence. Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin- dependent) is the more common type, affecting 90%-95% of those with diabetes. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs after age 40.

*Diabetes and its complications occur among Americans of all ages and racial/ethnic groups, but the elderly and certain racial/ethnic groups are more commonly affected by the disease. About 18% of Americans 65 years of age and older have diabetes.

*Diabetes patients risk debilitating complications such as blindness, kidney disease, and lower-extremity amputations.

*Cardiovascular disease is 2-4 times more common among persons with diabetes; the risk of stroke is 2-4 times higher; 60%-65% have high blood pressure; and 60%-70% have mild to severe diabetic nerve damage.

The Four Types of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes. Type 1 diabetes may account for 5% to 10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Risk factors are less well defined for type 1 diabetes than for type 2 diabetes, but autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors are involved in the development of this type of diabetes

Type 2 diabetes was previously called non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes may account for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, prior history of gestational diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, physical inactivity, and race/ethnicity. African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, and some Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are at particularly high risk for type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes develops in 2% to 5% of all pregnancies but disappears when a pregnancy is over. Gestational diabetes occurs more frequently in African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, and persons with a family history of diabetes. Obesity is also associated with higher risk. Women who have had gestational diabetes are at increased risk for later developing type 2 diabetes. In some studies, nearly 40% of women with a history of gestational diabetes developed diabetes in the future.

"Other specific types" of diabetes result from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses. Such types of diabetes may account for 1% to 2% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

For updated information, see:
CDC - Diabetes Facts
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/facts98.htm

Center for Disease Control
CDC - Health Topic: Diabetes
http://www.cdc.gov/health/diabetes.htm

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