Diabetes is one of the most common chronic medical conditions in the United States. The prevalence of diabetes has increased greatly over the past decade, affecting 24 million people in the United States in 2009.
Type 2 Diabetes
Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, must be present in order for sugar to be used for energy. If the pancreas cannot make enough insulin or if the body can not use the insulin correctly, sugar can build up in the blood. This increase of sugar in the blood is called diabetes.
Warning Signs
Warning signs of diabetes include:
Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
At this time, there is no cure for diabetes. The goal is control of the elevated blood sugar - and control depends on you. The choices you make each day will affect your blood sugar. Learning about diabetes is the key to making informed choices that will affect you today and in the future.
