Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism--the way our bodies use
digested food for growth and energy. Most of the food we eat is broken down by
the digestive juices into a simple sugar called glucose. Glucose is the main
source of fuel for the body. When we eat, the pancreas is supposed to
automatically produce the right amount of insulin to move the glucose from our
blood into our cells. In people with diabetes, however, the pancreas either
produces little or no insulin, or the body cells do not respond to the insulin
that is produced. As a result, glucose builds up in the blood, overflows into
the urine, and passes out of the body. Thus, the body loses its main source of
fuel even though the blood contains large amounts of glucose.
Diabetes can cause serious health complications including
heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations.
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.
An estimated 16 million people in the United States have diabetes
mellitus--a serious, lifelong condition. About half of these people do not know
they have diabetes and are not under care for the disorder. Each year, about
798,000 people are diagnosed with diabetes.
HHS
Issues National Plan To Reduce Impact Of Diabetes On Women
March 25, 2003 - HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today
introduced a national plan to address the growing health epidemic of diabetes in
women. Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and is
a major contributor to heart disease, the number one killer of women.
Two
Websites Devoted To Diabetes
May 6, 2002 -
The FDA has launched a pair of Websites with information for consumers
on diabetes, a disease that affects more than 17 million Americans. One
site gives general background on the disease and FDA's role; the other
site is part of the agency’s Take Time to Care campaign, targeted at
early detection and treatment of diabetes in women.
The National Diabetes
Information Clearinghouse, Diabetes Dictionary defines the different
types of diabetes as:
Type I diabetes:
A chronic condition in
which the pancreas makes little or no insulin because the beta cells have been
destroyed. The body is then not able to use the glucose (blood sugar) for
energy. Type I diabetes usually comes on abruptly, although the damage to the
beta cells may begin much earlier. The signs of Type I diabetes are a great
thirst, hunger, a need to urinate often, and loss of weight. To treat the
disease, the person must inject insulin, follow a diet plan, exercise daily, and
test blood glucose several times a day. Type I diabetes usually occurs in
children and adults who are under age 30. This type of diabetes used to be known
as juvenile diabetes, juvenile-onset diabetes, and ketosis-prone diabetes, and
insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).
New
Resources To Treat Type 1 Diabetes
In October 2001, the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), a part of the National
Institutes of Health (NIH), announced the award of grants in the
amount of $10.4 million to establish 10 Islet Cell Resource (ICR) centers.
Type II diabetes
The most common form of
diabetes mellitus; about 90 to 95 percent of people who have diabetes have type
II diabetes. Unlike Type I diabetes, in which the pancreas makes no insulin,
people with Type II diabetes produce some insulin, sometimes even large amounts.
However, either their bodies do not produce enough insulin or their body cells
are resistant to the action of insulin. People with Type II diabetes can often
control their condition by losing weight through diet and exercise. If not, they
may need to combine insulin or a pill with diet and exercise. Generally, Type II
diabetes occurs in people who are over age 40. Most of the people who have this
type of diabetes are overweight. Type II diabetes used to be called adult-onset
diabetes, maturity-onset diabetes, ketosis-resistant diabetes, and stable
diabetes and noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
Diet
and Exercise Dramatically Delay Type-2 Diabetes
At least 10 million Americans at high risk for Type-2 diabetes can
sharply lower their chances of getting the disease with diet and
exercise, according to the findings of a major clinical trial. The
diabetes medication Metformin is also effective.
The web sites below provide resources from government
agencies, private companies, and nonprofit organizations. Specifically, the web sites supply additional information
about the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and current research about diabetes.
(Sources:
CDC's
Diabetes and Public Health Resource, FAQs, The
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, and the Diabetes
Dictionary.)
Government Resources:
National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases (NIDDK) conducts and supports research on many of the most serious
diseases affecting public health. The Institute supports much of the clinical
research on the diseases of internal medicine and related subspecialty fields as
well as many basic science disciplines.
National
Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) is an
information dissemination service of the National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). NIDDK is part of the National Institutes
of Health (NIH), one of eight health agencies of the Public Health Service,
which is under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
NDIC provides a Diabetes
Dictionary to define words that are often used when writing or talking about
diabetes.
Diabetes
and Periodontal Disease: A Guide for Patients
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
provides an online pamphlet that explains the link between diabetes and
periodontal disease.
Diabetes and
Public Health Resource
The Division of Diabetes Translation is part of the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The division translates scientific research findings into health promotion,
disease prevention, and treatment strategies.
National
Eye Institute Provides Information about Diabetic Eye Disease
The National Eye Institute provides an online publication
entitled “Don’t Lose Sight of Diabetic Eye Disease”. Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that
people with diabetes may face as a complication of this disease. All can cause
severe vision loss or even blindness.
Private and Nonprofit Resources:
American Diabetes
Association
The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading
nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and
advocacy. The mission of the
organization is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all
people affected by diabetes.
American Association of
Diabetes Educators (AADE)
The American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) is a
multidisciplinary organization representing over 10,000 healthcare professionals
who provide diabetes education and care. Membership is open to all health
professionals with an interest in helping people live full and productive lives.
The Diabetes Mall
The Diabetes Mall is a leading Web-based source of
information and retail products focused exclusively on diabetes. The site
provides a weekly online diabetes newspaper Diabetes This Week, plus research
reports, articles analyzing current diabetes issues, interactive tools for
better blood sugar control, contests, and information on the latest drugs,
medications, devices, products, diets, blood sugar management tools and future
developments in diabetes care.
Diabetes.com
Diabetes.com is one of the Internet's most trusted
destinations for diabetes information. This
site provides articles covering a spectrum of diabetes topics, including
prevention, conventional and alternative treatments, tight blood glucose
control, and diet and fitness. The site also offers interactive tools, an expert
columnist, answers from our staff pharmacists, and a range of diabetes products
and medications you can read about and purchase.
Joslin Diabetes
Center
Joslin Diabetes Center and the Joslin Clinic are
International leaders in diabetes treatment, research, and education.
Established in 1898, and affiliated with Harvard Medical School, Joslin leads
the field in both basic and clinical research, and is devoted to educating both
patients and professionals.
Dr. C.
Everett Koop Provides Online Diabetes Information
Dr. Koop, former U.S. Surgeon General and current Chairman of drkoop.com, provides accurate and reliable healthcare information online.
Diabetes -
Doctor's Guide to the Internet
The latest medical news and information for patients or
friends/parents of patients diagnosed with diabetes. This site provides medical news and alerts, diabetes
information, discussion groups and newsgroups, and other related sites.
