Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy. The cause of diabetes is a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as diet, obesity and lack of exercise appear to play a role.

Approx. 7% of the US population has diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 6.2 million people (about one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

Diabetes Symptoms include:

• Frequent Urination
• Excessive Thirst
• Extreme Hunger
• Unusual Weight Loss
• Increased Fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurry Vision 

Diagnosing Diabetes

In order to determine whether or not a patient has pre-diabetes or diabetes, your doctor may conduct a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Either one can be used to diagnose pre-diabetes or diabetes. However, the FPG test is easier, faster, and less expensive to perform.

In the OGTT test, a person's blood glucose level is measured after a fast and two hours after drinking a glucose-rich beverage.

Major Types of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes: Caused by the body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that "unlocks" the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and power the body. An estimated 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes: Caused by insulin resistance, a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin, combined with relative insulin deficiency. A majority of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes: Gestational diabetes affects approx. 4% of pregnant women, about 135,000 cases in the United States per year.

Pre-Diabetes: Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than the norm but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Approx. 41 million Americans have pre-diabetes.