Diabetes is a serious, chronic disease that affects more than 16 million children, men, and women in the U.S. A person with diabetes may not be able to eat the same foods as others, and may need to test blood sugar during the day, or take insulin. It is helpful to have information on this disease so you can better care for yourself, a family member, or a child or other adult in the childcare.

Diabetes occurs when a person's body either fails to produce enough insulin or is unable to metabolize insulin properly. Insulin is crucial to the body's ability to produce energy. The body breaks down food and nutrients into glucose, or blood sugar, which then passes into the bloodstream and the body's cells. For glucose to be used by the body's cells, insulin, which is produced in the pancreas, must be present to help process it. When the body produces little or no insulin or fails to use it properly, the glucose that eventually builds up in the blood passes out of the body without producing needed energy.

Types of Diabetes

There are three types of diabetes that are treated in different ways and have different causes. Type 1 diabetes is often called juvenile diabetes because it usually begins during childhood or adolescence.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, accounting for more than 90 percent of all cases. It usually begins in late adulthood and was previously called adult onset diabetes. About 80 percent of the people with type 2 diabetes are overweight and many also have high blood pressure. Although type 2 diabetes is linked to genetics, lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise also play a major role in its development.

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and can cause a number of pregnancy complications. Although it usually disappears shortly after giving birth, women who develop it are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Initially, a person with diabetes may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Frequent urination
• Extreme thirst or hunger
• Sores or bruises that heal slowly
• Dry, itchy skin
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blurry vision that changes from day to day
• Unusual tiredness or drowsiness
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
• Frequent or recurring skin, gum, bladder, or vaginal yeast infections

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to talk to your doctor. You are at higher risk for diabetes if it runs in your family. Being obese, older than 45, leading a sedentary lifestyle, and eating an unhealthy diet also put you at risk for diabetes. If you have risk factors or your doctor suspects you have diabetes, you may undergo tests to determine your blood glucose levels.

Treatment for diabetes will vary with type and severity. Eating a healthy diet, exercising, and testing blood glucose regularly are essential in management of diabetes. People with diabetes also may take oral medication or insulin injections to keep their blood glucose levels stabilized.

Tips for Prevention and Management

Keep your weight in a healthy range. Being overweight makes the body work harder to control blood glucose levels and insulin production.

Exercise regularly. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate to intense exercise, such as walking, each day.

Eat right. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in fat. Fiber plays a role in slowing down the metabolism of glucose, so include plenty of fiber-rich grains and vegetables in your diet.

Kick the habit. Smoking is associated with a significantly increased risk of diabetes

INTERNET RESOURCES

American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311; 800-DIABETES, www.diabetes.org

Diabetes Public Health Resource by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 877-CDC-DIABETES; PO Box 8728, Silver Spring MD 20910; www.cdc.gov/diabetes

National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Disorders, Bethesda, MD 20892; 301-496-3853; www.niddk.nih.gov