Diabetes

What is Diabetes?

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. Although the cause of diabetes is unknown, both genetic and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

There are 29.1 million people in the United States, or 9.3% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 21 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 8.1 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

Prediabetes, Diabetes, and Your Health

This ground-breaking broadcast mini-series was created to provide viewers with crucial information about diabetes. Host Joan Lunden and CDC’s Dr. Ann Albright share insights on the current state of the epidemic in America and proven strategies for preventing or delaying type 2 diabetes. View the videos here

Signs and Symptoms

Being very thirsty
Urinating often
Feeling very hungry
Feeling very tired
Losing weight without trying
Having cuts or sores that heal slowly
Having dry, itchy skin
Loss of feeling or tingling in the feet or toes
Having blurry vision

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is usually first diagnosed in children, teenagers or young adults. In this form of diabetes, the pancreas no longer makes insulin which is the hormone that "unlocks" the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. Treatment for type 1 diabetes includes taking insulin shots or using an insulin pump, making wise food choices, being physically active and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.

Type 2 diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which fat, muscle and liver cells do not use insulin properly. At first the pancreas keeps up with the added demand by producing more insulin but over time it loses the ability to produce enough insulin to respond to the food a person eats. Type 2 diabetes can occur at any age (even childhood). Being overweight and inactive increases the chance of developing type 2 diabetes. 90-95% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is caused by the hormones of pregnancy or a shortage of insulin. It occurs in some women in the late stages of pregnancy. Although this form of diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born, a woman who has had it is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Gestational diabetes affects about 9.2% of all pregnant women in the United States each year.

People with diabetes are encouraged to have:

At least two hba1c tests per year
Annual fasting lipid profile (every 2 years if patient has low-risk lipid values)
Annual serum creatinine (blood test) to assess kidney function
Annual albumin-to-creatinine ratio (urine test) in patients with type 1 diabetes greater than 5 years and in all patients with type 2 diabetes
Annual dilated eye exam
Annual dental/oral exam
Annual comprehensive foot exam
Annual flu immunization
Pneumoccocal immunization

Diabetes in WV

Additional Information

Healthcare Tools and Resources

Diabetes Prevention and Management Resources