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What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic, genetically determined, debilitating disease affecting every organ system. Insulin is not a cure, but merely life support. There are two major types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 (juvenile) is caused by the autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and is usually, though not always, diagnosed in childhood. People with Type 1 must take insulin to live. People with Type 2 (adult onset) produce insulin, but their bodies do not use it effectively. Type 2 is usually diagnosed in adulthood and does not always require insulin injections.
Millions Have It
· Diabetes kills one American every three minutes.
· 16 million Americans have the disease; of these 5.4 million are undiagnosed.
· Diabetes afflicts 120 million people worldwide, and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that number will skyrocket to 300 million by 2025.
· A new case of diabetes is diagnosed every 40 seconds.
· Taking insulin does not cure the disease nor prevent the development of complications.
A Deadly Disease, Diabetes...
· Attacks Many Organ Systems: Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, adult blindness, and non-traumatic amputations. It is a leading cause of nerve damage.
· Blinds: Diabetes is the leading cause of adult blindness.
· Increases Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke: People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke than someone without the disease.
· Shortens Life: Life expectancy of people with diabetes averages 15 years less than people without the disease.
Single Most Costly Chronic Disease
· Diabetes accounts for more than $105 billion of annual U.S. health-care costs.
· One of every four Medicare dollars goes to pay for health care of people with diabetes.
Warning Signs
· Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include: excessive thirst, constant hunger, excessive urination, sudden weight loss for no reason; rapid, hard breathing; sudden vision changes or blurry vision; weakness, drowsiness or exhaustion; fruity odor on breath. These symptoms may occur suddenly.
· Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include: recurring or hard-to-heal skin, gum or urinary tract infections, drowsiness; tingling of hands and feet; excessive urination, excessive hunger and thirst; itching of skin and genitals.
JDRF is the world's leading nonprofit, nongovernmental funder of diabetes research. It was founded in 1970 by parents of children with diabetes. JDRF's mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research, and since its inception has given more than $326 million to diabetes research worldwide. For more information visit our website at www.jdrf.org or call 1-800-533-CURE.
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