The Disease

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.

There are 20.8 million people in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes results from the body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that allows glucose to enter and fuel the body’s cells. Approximately 5 to 10% of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

Formerly called “juvenile” or “insulin-dependent” diabetes, this disease is usually first diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults, but it can occur at any age. In this form of diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin because the body's immune system has attacked and destroyed them. Treatment includes blood glucose control via external monitoring and insulin shots or use of an insulin pump, healthy eating, physical activity, and control of blood pressure and cholesterol.

Type 2 Diabetes results from insulin resistance combined with an insulin deficiency. Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Formerly called “Adult-onset” or “non-insulin-dependent” diabetes. Being overweight or sedentary increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

People can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, childhood to adult. This form usually begins with insulin resistance, where cells do not properly use insulin. At first, the pancreas simply produces more insulin. In time, however, it loses the ability to secrete enough insulin to respond to meals. Treatment includes a medicine regime, healthy eating, physical activity, and control of blood pressure and cholesterol.

Over time, many type 2 diabetic’s islet cells are lost and they become insulin dependent, in essence developing type 1 diabetes. The subset of diabetics (Type 1/2) may also benefit from islet transplantation.