Some 20 million Americans have diabetes. Diabetes is a relatively common metabolic disorder that affects the way the body uses food for energy and growth. The food we eat is converted into glucose or simple sugar that works as a source of fuel.

Insulin is produced by the pancreas and there should be enough insulin to regulate glucose levels and how glucose is used. People with diabetes have extreme insulin failure. A short term symptom of diabetes is excessive thirst. Diabetes damages body organs in the long term.

There are three types of diabetes. We will start with type 2 diabetes, the most common, making up 90-95 percent of new cases. Thomas Edison had type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is usually found in obese people, likely due to insulin resistance, a condition related to excess body fat. In such case, a normal amount of insulin no longer suffices. The pancreas try to make more insulin to lower the sugar. But diabetes results when the pancreas can’t keep up. Other times, type 2 diabetics just stop producing insulin altogether, with a similar result.

Type 2 diabetics are usually 20 pounds overweight and over 40 years old. Family history of diabetes and ethnicity play a role as most cases of diabetes occur among those Native Americans, Hispancs and African Americans.

Type 1 diabetes makes up 5-10 percent of cases. It occurs when the body’s immune system gets confused and starts to destroy the cells that produce insulin. In response, the pancreas stops making insulin altogether.

People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily. Halle Berry is a type 1 diabetic. Type 1 diabetes was once known as juvenile diabetes since it’s usually diagnosed in people under 20. Type 1 diabetics are frequently Caucasian.

Type 3 diabetes, gestation diabetes, occurs in 7 percent of pregnancies, probably because pregnancy hormones reduce receptiveness to insulin. Women are more likely to contract gestational diabetes if they have a family or personal history of diabetes, or if they are non Caucasian.

Diabetes is incurable, but many treatments allow diabetics to lead healthy, normal lives. If you think you may be diabetic, consult your doctor.

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