Diabetes Mellitus Affects Over 20 Million People - 1305 Words

â€Å"Diabetes Mellitus affects over 20 million people in the United States, although approximately 25% of those are underdiagnosed with the condition. More than 50 million people have what is called â€Å"prediabetes,† a condition in which they have a blood glucose higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus, and 35,000 people die from it each year. Diabetes Mellitus is classified into several categories† (Sommers). Diabetes can be summarized as simply as a lifetime condition of high blood sugar levels. However, it is more complex than that. People with diabetes face many symptoms such as constant thirst and hunger. Also, often time’s diabetics will gain or lose a noticeable amount of weight. Along with that,†¦show more content†¦Diabetes is most often caused by heredity, more specially chromosome six, however obesity, acute tension, other disorders can put a person at a greater risk. If diabetes continues to go on not treated it can lead to death. According to Watkins, in ABC of Diabetes, someone with diabetes should, â€Å"Use complex carbohydrates as the main energy source rather than fat or protein, while, avoiding filling up with fatty foods such as cheese or meat containing high saturated fat levels, along with eating fish, especially oily fish. Also, use olive oil in cooking, and always keep sugar to a minimum.† (p.40) There are three main types of diabetes known as Type 1, Type 2, and Gestation diabetes. However, they all have one thing in common, if a person’s body does not break down sugars and carbohydrates into glucose, then the cells will not be able to take insulin and use it at energy. In some cases a person’s body may even produce the insulin, but reasons unknown cannot use the insulin. The least common type of diabetes is known as Type 1. â€Å"The classic symptoms of diabetes emerge when approximately 90% of the ÃŽ ² cells in the islets have been destroyed. Although characteristically such symptoms have a relatively sudden onset, the initiating pathophysiological process leading to the clinical emergence of type 1 diabetes may occur over a prolonged period of time†(Scobie). It affects mostly children and adolescents. It is more commonly known for the