Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. Here are the troubling statistics: One in 12 Americans has diabetes-- more than 25 million people; 79 million adults in the U.S. are at risk of developing type two diabetes; 80 percent of people with type two diabetes are overweight, and the prevalence of overweight Americans is on the rise. If uncontrolled, diabetes can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems. 

There is a bright side to the statistics, however-- the correlation between healthy behaviors and either controlling or preventing diabetes is very strong. People who are at high risk for type two diabetes can lower this risk by more than half if they make healthy changes, including eating healthy, increasing physical activity, and losing weight.

Diabetes Types

Type One

Five to 10 percent of those diagnosed with diabetes have type one diabetes. This type is often called called "juvenile diabetes" or "insulin-dependent diabetes" because 70 percent of diagnoses occur before a person reaches the age of 30; with type one diabetes the pancreas produces little to no insulin.

The onset of type one diabetes is usually sudden and clear-cut; symptoms include increased urination, thirst or dry mouth, hunger, weight loss (despite normal or increased eating), blurred vision, frequent or continuous infections and tingling or pain in the hands, feet or both.

Those diagnosed with type one diabetes will always need to take insulin, which must be kept in balance along with nutrition and exercise.

Type Two

Ninety percent of those diagnosed with diabetes have type two diabetes. With this type of diabetes, the body either resists the effects of insulin or doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain a normal blood sugar level. Although often called "adult onset diabetes," type two diabetes is on the increase among U.S. children and adolescents. Symptoms of type two diabetes are generally the same as experienced with type one, but come on gradually or may not be noticed at all.

If a healthy diet and exercise is not enough to satisfactorily lower  blood sugar levels, oral or injectable medication may be required to manage type two diabetes.

Gestational

This type of diabetes develops during pregnancy and is caused by increased production of hormones that make the body less able to use insulin. Most cases go away after birth, but the risk of developing type two later in life is elevated.

Other Types of Diabetes

Additional, less common, types of diabetes include surgically-induced diabetes, following pancreas surgery; chemically-induced diabetes, most commonly caused by steroid use; and latent autoimmune diabetes, which is a more slowly progressing variation of type one diabetes.

Diabetes Care

For those diagnosed with diabetes,  blood sugar testing as recommended by a health care provider should be followed regularly, routine follow-up care should be sought, medication and/or insulin should be taken as prescribed, and a medical alert bracelet or other identifier should be worn if taking insulin. Blood pressure control and cholesterol management are also important.