Diabetes mellitus is a chronic, long-term health condition in which the body either has impairment in insulin production or inadequate insulin utilization, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. Over time, serious damage can occur to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.
The following are some current facts about diabetes:
- Approximately 38 million adults in the U.S. have diabetes, and 1 in 5 typically do not know they have diabetes.
- Worldwide, approximately 422 million people have diabetes, with about 1.5 million deaths directly attributed to diabetes each year.
- Diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S.
- Diabetes is the number one cause of kidney failure, lower-limb amputations, and adult blindness.
- Over the past twenty years, the number of adults with diabetes has more than doubled.
- Medical costs and lost work and wages for individuals with diabetes total $413 billion yearly.
A brief review of glucose metabolism and the role of insulin:
After eating or drinking, much of the food or drinks are metabolized to glucose, which is transported via the bloodstream to various cells, where the glucose is used to provide energy for daily activities. The blood glucose level in the body is tightly regulated by the hormone insulin secreted by the pancreas. Usually, when blood glucose rises to a certain level, the pancreas will release additional insulin levels, allowing blood glucose to enter the body’s cells and be used for energy. In addition, insulin signals the liver to store blood glucose for later use.
As blood glucose enters the cells, the levels typically decrease, signaling the pancreas to produce less insulin. Lower insulin levels alert the liver to release stored blood glucose to maintain energy. The entry of glucose into the cells and the metabolism of glucose to produce energy involve multiple complex processes.
