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Definition of 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. 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.
Type 1 Diabetes:
Results from the body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that "unlocks" the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. It is estimated that 5-10 percent of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes:
Results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency. Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes:
Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes starts when your body is not able to make and use all the insulin it needs for pregnancy. Without enough insulin, glucose cannot leave the blood and be changed to energy. Glucose builds up in the blood to high levels. This is called hyperglycemia.
Gestational diabetes affects about 4 percent of all pregnant women - about 135,000 cases in the United States each year.
Pre-diabetes:
Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There are 41 million Americans who have pre-diabetes, in addition to the 18.2 million with diabetes.
Diabetes Symptoms
Some diabetes symptoms include:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Unusual weight loss
- Increased fatigue
- Irritability
- Blurry vision
Diabetes Risk Test
The American Diabetes Association website offers a Diabetes Risk Test to help you determine if you should see your doctor about Diabetes.
If you are at a high risk of developing diabetes, please request a glucose test from your doctor.
Diabetes Prevention
If you are at a high risk of developing diabetes but have not been diagnosed as diabetic, there are some things you can do to help prevent type 2 diabetes:
Community Diabetes Screening
The Health Education staff worked with organizations and partners to provide diabetes screenings in the community. Visit the Community Diabetes Screening webpage to learn more about diabetes screening.
For questions about screenings, or to join the Clark County Diabetes Group, contact Rayleen Earney at earney@snhdmail.org.
Clark County Diabetes Group
The Clark County Diabetes Group (CCDG) was formed in 2004 to educate, prevent and manage diabetes. Since 2007, CCDG has worked on other projects, such as incorporating vision resources into the Diabetes Resource Directory. Dental resources will be included in 2009. CCDG developed laminated signs to encourage patients with diabetes at doctors' offices to have their feet checked. Signs were sent free of charge to interested physicians. If your clinic is interested in free signs to encourage diabetics to get annual foot exams, please contact earney@snhdmail.org.
CCDG participated in annual media campaigns including radio, newspaper and television to educate the public about signs and symptoms of diabetes, educational resources, prevention and management. If you are interested in joining the CCDG please complete a membership form. PDF (56KB/1 page)
Diabetes Management
If diagnosed with diabetes, it is crucial to manage your condition. See a doctor regularly about your diabetes. Take a diabetes management class.
- The American Diabetes Association offers healthy recipes for diabetics.
- Free diabetes materials are available from the National Diabetes Education Program website.
- If you have diabetes, remember to ask your doctor for annual foot and eye exams! The American Diabetes Association Foot Care webpage can help you keep your feet healthy.
- If you are interested in attending weekly free diabetes management classes contact Hermilia Uribe at 257-5546 for information regarding location and class times.
Nevada Diabetes Resource Directory
The Nevada Diabetes Association for Children and Adults has created the Nevada Diabetes Resource Directory of doctors in Nevada that specialize in diabetes care. Also included in the directory are a diabetes management schedule and other diabetes services available in Nevada. Download the 2009 directory in English or Spanish. PDF (652 KB/27 pages)
Related Links
Visit our Related Links webpage for additional diabetes websites.
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