According to the CDC, Diabetes is “a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy.” It also refers to a variety of conditions/diseases involving high blood sugar (glucose). The most common types of diabetes include:
- Type 2 diabetes – a chronic condition affecting the way in which your body processes blood glucose; formerly referred to as “adult-onset diabetes”
- Type 1 diabetes – a chronic condition that exists when little or no insulin is produced by the pancreas: also known as “insulin-dependent” or “juvenile” diabetes
- Pre-diabetes – a condition wherein a person has a high blood sugar level but not high enough for classification as Type 2 diabetes
- Gestational diabetes – a condition existing when a woman has a high blood sugar levels during pregnancy
When a person is diabetic, their body cannot properly process food to use for energy. Most foods are turned into glucose during the digestive process (sugar). The pancreas is the organ responsible for producing insulin (a hormone) which helps glucose to get into our body’s cells.
Facts and Statistics
Since 1980, the number of diabetes cases has quadrupled on a global scale. In the US, the number of diagnosed cases among adults has doubled since the turn of the century. Although the causes of the disease are complex, it is primarily attributed to obesity and a lack of physical activity. Here are some facts and statistics about the disease that you should be aware of:
- 34 million Americans have diabetes; 20% of all diabetics don’t know they have the disease
- 422 million individuals worldwide are diabetic
- 88 million Americans have pre-diabetes; 84% of them don’t know they have the disease
- 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases are Type 2 while the remaining 5% to 10% are Type 1
- Diabetes is one of the primary causes of death throughout the world
- Diabetes is ranked 7th out of the top 10 leading causes of death in the US
- Diabetes often leads to kidney failure, amputations and blindness
- If detected early on, you can live a healthy, long life with diabetes provided it’s managed properly (early diagnosis and intervention is key)
- Type 2 diabetes is preventable
Treatment of Diabetes
The type of treatment prescribed varies based on the type of diabetes you’re diagnosed with. Diet, exercise, medications and regular screenings for diabetic-related problems play a significant role in the treatment of the disease. In cases of pre-diabetes, lifestyle changes, medications and weight loss can help normalize blood sugar levels. People with Type 2 diabetes are treated with diet, exercise, insulin therapy and medications. The same applies to Type 1 diabetes.
Although diagnostic imaging doesn’t play a role in the treatment of diabetes, it can be used to diagnose and monitor patients for rare conditions related to the disease.