Page 1 - Diabetes
P. 1
The
Un-Sugarcoated
Truth about
Diabetes
What is Diabetes? What is Prediabetes?
Nearly 29.1 million Americans have Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they usually have “prediabetes”—which
diabetes, a serious disease in which means their blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to
blood glucose levels, also called be called diabetes. Without taking steps to improve their health, 15 percent to 30
blood sugar, are too high. If you percent of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within ive years,
have diabetes, the pancreas makes and they are more likely to develop other serious health problems including heart
little or no insulin, a hormone which disease and stroke.
helps glucose get from your blood
into your cells, or your cells cannot Risk Factors
use insulin well. Glucose builds up in Many factors increase your risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, including the
your blood and cannot get into your following.
cells. If blood glucose stays too high,
it can damage many parts of the body Being 45 years of age or older Having diabetes while pregnant or
including the heart, eyes, kidneys, and Being overweight giving birth to a baby weighing 9
nerves. Being physically active less than pounds or more
three times a week Family history of diabetes
Most people with diabetes have type
2, formerly known as adult-onset
diabetes. Luckily, you have the power
to help lower your risk for getting type
2 diabetes.
Un-Sugarcoated
Truth about
Diabetes
What is Diabetes? What is Prediabetes?
Nearly 29.1 million Americans have Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they usually have “prediabetes”—which
diabetes, a serious disease in which means their blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to
blood glucose levels, also called be called diabetes. Without taking steps to improve their health, 15 percent to 30
blood sugar, are too high. If you percent of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within ive years,
have diabetes, the pancreas makes and they are more likely to develop other serious health problems including heart
little or no insulin, a hormone which disease and stroke.
helps glucose get from your blood
into your cells, or your cells cannot Risk Factors
use insulin well. Glucose builds up in Many factors increase your risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, including the
your blood and cannot get into your following.
cells. If blood glucose stays too high,
it can damage many parts of the body Being 45 years of age or older Having diabetes while pregnant or
including the heart, eyes, kidneys, and Being overweight giving birth to a baby weighing 9
nerves. Being physically active less than pounds or more
three times a week Family history of diabetes
Most people with diabetes have type
2, formerly known as adult-onset
diabetes. Luckily, you have the power
to help lower your risk for getting type
2 diabetes.
