There are many diabetes facts that everybody should know. First and foremost, it is important to understand what diabetes is and what causes diabetes. There are two main types of diabetes mellitus, type I (insulin dependent/juvenile onset) and type II (insulin resistant/adult onset).

Type I diabetes is typically diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood. Type I diabetes is a condition that occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce a sufficient amount of the insulin hormone. The insulin hormone helps the fat and muscle cells in the body metabolize blood glucose. If insulin is not produced adequately, the body is unable to properly utilize blood glucose. This can have devastating effects on the kidneys, heart and other organs throughout the body. Thus, people with type I diabetes typically require insulin injections up to several times per day to metabolize blood sugar adequately.

Type II diabetes is generally diagnosed in adults. However, the childhood obesity epidemic is causing more and more children to develop type II diabetes. Type II diabetes occurs when the body is unable to use the insulin hormone because it has become resistant to it. People with type II diabetes may be able to reverse the condition through diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes that help combat the resistance. People with type II diabetes may need oral medications to help the body utilize insulin properly.

 

Interesting Facts About Diabetes

 

There are several facts about diabetes that everybody should know. For starters, people should know the diabetes and obesity facts. There is a definite link between type II diabetes and obesity. Excess body fat adds hormones to the body that cause the body to become resistant to the insulin hormone. Losing weight can help obese people with diabetes reverse and cure their diabetes. Some doctors recommend weight loss surgery for morbidly obese people with poorly controlled diabetes.

Juvenile diabetes facts are also important to know. Juvenile diabetes (type I diabetes) is not currently curable. However, there are treatments that are being developed to work toward a cure for type I diabetes. Treatment for diabetes has come a long way in the past several years. People with type I diabetes require insulin injections or an insulin pump to maintain proper control of blood glucose.

Here are some frightening facts about diabetes in America:

  • Over 8% of the US population has diabetes. This number is rising.
  • There are over 8 million people in the US diagnosed with diabetes.
  • Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults.
  • Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in the US.
  • Diabetes is the culprit of over 60% of all non traumatic lower limb amputations each year.
  • Diabetes is one of the highest health care costs each year, coming in at over $174 billion annually.

 

Diabetes Fun Facts: Famous People With Diabetes

 

Truth be told, there are no fun facts about diabetes. Diabetes is a serious disease that kills thousands of people every year. With that said, there are many famous people that are living successful lives with diabetes.

Famous People with Diabetes:

  • B.B. King (blues musician)
  • Aretha Franklin (singer)
  •  Anne Rice (author)
  • Smokin’ Joe Frazier (heavyweight boxing champion)
  • Mike Echols (NFL)
  • Gary Hall (Olympic swimming gold medalist)
  • Nick Jonas (lead singer – Jonas Brothers)
  • Tommy Lee (Motley Crue drummer)
  • Bret Michaels (Lead singer of Poison)
  • Liz Taylor (actress)
  • Aida Tuturro (actress, the “Sopranos”)
  • Halle Berry (actress)

 

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