Diabetes Mellitus

Lora Stowitzky

Statistics
Affects 23.6 million people in the
U.S.
- Diagnosed: 17.9 million people
- Undiagnosed: 5.7 million people
7th leading cause of death in the U.S
(2006)

What is Diabetes?
A chronic disease in which the body
can not properly use or make
insulin.
Insulin- a hormone made in the
pancrease that turns sugar
(glucose) into energy for the body to
use

What happens without insulin?

Lack of insulin

Build up of glucose in the

blood (hyperglycemia)

Symptoms of Diabetes
Mellitus

Symptoms
Frequent urination
Excessive thirst
Extreme hunger
- Cells are starved for energy
Unexplained weight loss
- Insulin can not trigger the storage of fat
Fatigue
Delayed wound healing

Type I Diabetes Mellitus

Juvenile diabetes
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
Autoimmune disorder
The body destroys the cells that
make the insulin
Thus, the body can no longer
produce insulin

Type I Diabetes Mellitus

Usually diagnosed in children &
young adults ( <30 years old)
5-10% of diabetics

Type I Diabetes Mellitus

RISK factors:
- Genetics
- Autoimmune history
Type I is not preventable

Type I Treatment

Glucose monitoring often

Insulin injections
Exercise
Diet
Follow up with doctor
Educate yourself!

Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Non-insulin dependent diabetes
mellitus
Body makes insulin but most cells
do not use insulin properly
Insulin resistance
Slowly, the pancreas stops making
insulin.

Type II Diabetes Mellitus

90-95 % of diabetics
RISK factors
- Older age
- Family history
- Obesity
- Physical Inactivity
- Race and Ethnicity

Type II Risk Factors

Obesity & Inactivity
- Studies find a relationship between
weight/activity level and Type II
- Seeing an increase in Type II
diabetes in children

Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Race & Ethnicity
- African Americans
- Hispanic/Latino Americans
- American Indians
- Asian Americans
- Pacific Islanders

Type II Prevention
If have risk factors, prevent or delay
the onset of Type II
- Healthy diet
- Moderately intense exercise
(walking 2 1/2 hours each week)

Type II Treatment
Goal: Control blood sugar (glucose)
- Glucose monitoring often
- Oral medicine / Insulin injections
- Diet
- Exercise / Weight management
- Follow up with doctor
- Educate yourself!

Diet - Carb Counting

Carbohydrates raise blood glucose
levels
Keep track of how many carbs you
eat and set a limit for yourself
Limit depends on your activity level
and medications
Talk to your doctor!

Diet - Create your plate

Divide plate into 3 sections
- Large section - non-starch veggies
(spinach, cabbage, mushrooms)
- Small section - starch
(potatoes, whole grain breads)
- Small section - meat
(turkey, tuna, lean pork)

Diet - Individualized
No one diet is appropriate for every
diabetic person
Work with your doctor to come up
with a diet that is right for your
situation

Complications of Diabetes

Heart disease
Blindness
Kidney damage
Diabetic neuropathy / nerve damage

Prevent complications by managing

your glucose level, diet, and activity!

Diabetes Awareness
November is American Diabetes
Month
November 14 is World Diabetes Day
For more information:
www.cdc.gov
www.diabetes.org
www.ndep.nih.gov

Websites
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consu
mer/index.htm
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/dia
betes/article_em.htm#Diabetes%20O
verview
http://www.diabetes.org/