Non-Communicable Diseases Unit Lesson 3 Diabetes Non-Communicable Diseases Unit Lesson 3

General Facts Approximately 18 million people in the U.S. (American Diabetes Association) 8 million do not yet know they have diabetes Is not contagious Cannot get diabetes from eating too much sugar

General Facts Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) Insulin A disease in which the body produces little or no insulin Insulin The hormone that regulates the blood sugar level Released by the pancreas

General Facts Insulin helps sugar from food get into the body cells If the body does not make enough insulin or it does not work properly, the sugar cannot get into our body cells – it stays in the blood.

Risk Factors for Diabetes Being overweight and/or obese Being female Having a family history of diabetes Being 40 years of age or older Which factors can you control? How can you reduce your risk of diabetes?

Types of Diabetes Three types 1. Insulin-dependent (Type I Diabetes) 2. Non-insulin dependent (Type II Diabetes) 3. Gestational diabetes

Insulin-Dependent – Type I Diabetes Type of diabetes in which the body produces little or no insulin Considered autoimmune disease Immune system produces antibodies that turn against the body’s own cells Immune system attacks and destroys cells that produce insulin

Insulin-Dependent – Type I Diabetes 5-10% of people who have diabetes have Type I Appears suddenly – progresses quickly Daily injections of insulin; special diet Symptoms: Increased thirst Frequent urination Constant hunger Weight loss Blurred vision Extreme tiredness

Non-Insulin Dependent – Type II Type of diabetes where the body produces insulin, but it cannot be used by cells Most common type of diabetes (approx. 90-95% of people with diabetes have Type II) Onset is gradual, symptoms not as noticeable as Type I

Non-Insulin Dependent – Type II Symptoms: Tired feeling Frequent urination Unusual thirst Weight loss Blurred vision Frequent infections Slow healing of sores

Non-Insulin Dependent – Type II About 80% of people with Type II diabetes are overweight. More prevalent today in children and adolescents  CHILDHOOD OBESITY 

Non-Insulin Dependent – Type II Treatment Weight loss diet Physical activity Oral medications

Gestational Diabetes Occurs in some females during pregnancy Insulin produced – body does not respond Resistance caused by hormones produced by the placenta Treated with diet Usually disappears after the birth of the baby

Managing Diabetes Monitor blood glucose levels Type I Diabetics Blood testing kits Type I Diabetics Daily injections of insulin to keep blood glucose levels safe Oral medications Losing/managing weight Physical activity

Complications If left untreated or not cared for, diabetes can lead to: Blindness Heart disease Stroke Kidney failure Loss of circulation to the limbs Nerve damage Premature death