An estimated 25.8 million people are living with diabetes in the United States. Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not use insulin properly or may not make insulin at all. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that helps our bodies use food for fuel in all of our activities of daily living.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes causes the body's immune system to attack and destroy the pancreatic cells that make insulin. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed between childhood and 40 years of age. Treatment for a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes is insulin, and the patient will be insulin dependent throughout their lifetime.
Learn more about Managing Type 1 Diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes
Those living with Type 2 diabetes tend to fall into one of three categories:
- Relative insulin deficiency, meaning the body makes less insulin than it used to make;
- Insulin resistance in which the body does not utilize the insulin it still makes and because of this, the body needs to make more insulin than usual to overcome this insulin resistance; or
- Too much stored glucose, or sugar, is released from the liver when it is not needed, because the liver is resistant to insulin or because the body is making less insulin than it used to make.
A diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in those between 30 to 50 years of age. Treatment includes food, exercise, and monitoring blood sugar at home, as well as pills and/or insulin to correct insulin resistance, extra sugar created by the liver and insulin deficiency.
Learn more about Managing Type 2 Diabetes.
Our staff also provides education and treatment for those living with pre-diabetes and diabetes during pregnancy. For more information please call (480) 728-3535.
