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Diabetes

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More than 9 out of 10 people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Many men don't even know they have it until they develop problems such as impotence (erectile dysfunction), vision loss, or kidney disease.

With type 2 diabetes, your body's system for making energy from the foods you eat does not work correctly. Much of the food you eat is broken down into glucose, the form of sugar in the blood. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body. Insulin helps the glucose move from your bloodstream into your cells to give them energy. But with type 2 diabetes, your body does not make or use insulin well. As a result, glucose builds up in the blood instead of being used for energy: Your cells don't get the fuel they need to function. And over time, high blood sugar levels can hurt many organs in your body.

Some risk factors for type 2 diabetes you can't control, such as your age, race, and family history. But you can prevent or delay developing type 2 diabetes by taking these steps:

• Eat mainly fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat foods.
• Get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Get your blood sugar level checked regularly, as advised by your doctor.
• Know your family's diabetes history and discuss it with your doctor.

Another form of diabetes, type 1 diabetes, is far less common than type 2. It occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys insulin-making cells. There is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes? - This booklet defines diabetes and reviews the signs and symptoms of the disease. It discusses the risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes and the ways it can be prevented.

   http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/riskfortype2/index.htm

2.   CDC Diabetes Public Health Resource - This web site contains information for the public and professionals about diabetes, including research, statistics, and educational publications.

   http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/index.htm

3.   Financial Help for Diabetes Care - This publication reviews the two government-funded health care assistance programs, Medicare and Medicaid, as well as other health care services available for people with diabetes. It lists organizations that address financial concerns about prescription drugs and medical supplies, prosthetic care, and dialysis and kidney transplantation. It also provides suggestions for finding local resources.

   http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/financialhelp/

4.     National Diabetes Fact Sheet, United States 2005 - The CDC provides a comprehensive fact sheet on the definition, diagnosis, treatment, and prevalence of Diabetes in the US. A Diabetes glossary is included at the end of the fact sheet, as well as links to additional resources.

   http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2005.pdf

5.     Tips to Help You Stay Healthy - This booklet provides an action plan for diabetes control that includes tips on knowing, reaching, and maintaining blood glucose levels.

   http://www.ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/TipsFeel_Eng.pdf

6.   What I Need to Know about Eating and Diabetes - This publication reviews diabetes nutrition basics, including what, when, and how much a person with diabetes should eat. It discusses healthier ways to buy, cook, and eat foods to achieve good blood glucose control.

   http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/eating_ez/index.htm

7.   Your Guide to Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2 - This booklet helps patients manage their diabetes, by giving advice on eating healthy, checking blood glucose levels and keeping in touch with a healthcare physician.

   http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/index.htm

8.   Attention Men: Are You Making the Link Between Your Diabetes and Heart Disease? (Copyright © ADA) - This fact sheet provides information about how diabetes can lead to heart disease and stroke. It gives tips and lifestyle changes for men with diabetes to lower their risk of diabetes-related heart disease.

   http://www.diabetes.org/uedocuments/Mensfinal.pdf

9.   Type 1 Diabetes (Copyright © The Hormone Foundation) - This bi-lingual publication offers information regarding the characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and management of Type 1 diabetes. Esta publicación ofrece información sobre los diagnósticos, síntomas, tratamientos y como tratar la diabetes tipo 1.

   http://www.hormone.org/Resources/Diabetes/upload/bilingual_Type1_Diabetes.pdf

10.   Type 2 Diabetes and A1c (Copyright © The Hormone Foundation) - This bi-lingual publication provides information regarding the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, while offering resources for patients on the treatment and management of Type 2 Diabetes. Esta hoja bilingüe discute las diferencias entre diabetes tipo 1 y diabetes tipo 2. Asimismo, ofrece recursos sobre tratamientos para pacientes.

    http://www.hormone.org/Resources/Diabetes/upload/bilingual_type_2diabetes_and_A1cl.pdf...

Organizations

1.   Division of Diabetes Translation, NCCDPHP, CDC, OPHS, HHS
2.   National Diabetes Education Program
3.   National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, NIDDK, NIH, HHS
4. American Association of Diabetes Educators
5. American Diabetes Association

= Indicates Federal Resources