About Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone essential for converting sugar, starches, and other food into energy needed for daily life. The exact cause of diabetes remains unknown, but it is believed that a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as obesity and lack of physical activity, play significant roles.

As of the latest data, approximately 37.3 million people in the United States, or about 11.3% of the population, have diabetes. Of these, around 28.7 million have been diagnosed, while an estimated 8.5 million people remain undiagnosed and unaware they have the disease. To diagnose pre-diabetes or diabetes, healthcare providers commonly use the Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT).

The American Diabetes Association recommends the FPG test because it is easier, faster, and less expensive. In this test, a fasting blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dL indicates pre-diabetes, while a level of 126 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes. The OGTT measures blood glucose after a fast and two hours after consuming a glucose-rich drink. A two-hour blood glucose level between 140 and 199 mg/dL suggests pre-diabetes, and a level of 200 mg/dL or higher confirms diabetes.

Major Types of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body fails to produce insulin, the hormone that enables glucose to enter cells and provide energy. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance (the body's inability to use insulin effectively) combined with a relative insulin deficiency. The majority of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and affects about 2-10% of pregnant women in the United States, equating to roughly 135,000 cases each year.

Pre-diabetes Pre-diabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. Approximately 96 million American adults have pre-diabetes, in addition to those diagnosed with diabetes.