Diabetes Risks

Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes (as it will be in this article) was first identified as a disease associated with "sweet urine," and excessive muscle loss in the ancient world. Elevated levels of blood glucose (hyperglycemia ) lead to spillage of glucose into the urine, hence the term sweet urine. Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease. For those that have diabetes, this risk may be increased. Diabetes, like other chronic conditions, is long term and is affected by the environment where people live, work, and play. For diseases like diabetes, the accurate measurement of quality of life as an indicator of program effectiveness and the incorporation of nonhealth professionals at work or worship on the health team will influence the successes of preventive treatment programs.

Diabetes is closely associated with severe coronary heart disease and increased risk of heart attack. Diabetes also may occur in people with excess production of growth hormone (acromegaly) and in people with certain hormone-secreting tumors. Severe or recurring pancreatitis and other disorders that directly damage the pancreas can lead to diabetes. Diabetes mellitus-also known as "sugar" diabetes-is a complex but common disease in which a cat's body either doesn't produce or doesn't properly use insulin. During digestion, the fats, carbohydrates, and proteins that are consumed in the diet are broken down into smaller components that can be utilized by cells in the body.

Diabetes also is a disability when it causes side effects or complications that substantially limit a major life activity. Even if diabetes is not currently substantially limiting because it is controlled by diet, exercise, oral medication, and/or insulin, and there are no serious side effects, the condition may be a disability because it was substantially limiting in the past (i.e., before it was diagnosed and adequately treated). Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. People with diabetes have problems converting food to energy. Diabetes Portal and its dedicated team of volunteers and staff have helped thousands of people during the past ten years. Since its inception as the Insulin-Free World Foundation in 1995 and subsequent incorporation as DiabetesPortal.com, it has been a driving force in bridging communication between researchers, clinicians, and those of us living with diabetes.

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. Diabetes resulting in an insulin-dependent state is classified as Type 1 diabetes. While Type 1 diabetes affects only between 5 to10 percent of the diabetic population, its effects on the body can be worse than other forms of diabetes. Diabetes is the most rapidly growing chronic disease of our time. It has become an epidemic that affects one out of every 12 adult New Yorkers.