Article of the Day : 4th October, 2006 

Diabetes and risk factors related to this

What is diabetes?

The term diabetes refers either to a deficiency of insulin or to the body's decreased ability to use insulin. Insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, allows glucose (sugar) to enter body cells and be converted to energy. It also is needed to synthesize protein and to store fats. In uncontrolled diabetes, glucose and lipids (fats) remain in the bloodstream and, in time, damage the body's vital organs and contribute to heart disease.

There are two main types of diabetes: non-insulin dependent (type-2) and insulin dependent (type-1). Non-insulin dependent diabetes, which usually appears after the age of 40, is the most common type, affecting 90 percent - 95 percent of those who have the disease. Insulin-dependent diabetes affects the remaining proportion of those with the disease. Although this type of diabetes can occur at any age, it most often appears in childhood or during the teen years.

Who is most at risk for developing diabetes?

The following have a greater risk of developing non-insulin dependent diabetes:

• Those with a family history of diabetes (parents or siblings with diabetes).
• Individuals who are obese (20 percent or more over ideal body weight).
• Members of certain racial or ethnic groups. Those who are more likely to develop diabetes are Mexican and Puerto Rican Americans (twice as likely), African Americans (1.6 times) and Cuban Americans (1.5 times).
• Those who are 45 years of age and older.
• Individuals previously identified as having impaired glucose tolerance.
• Individuals with hypertension or who have excessive levels of fat in their blood (hyperlipidemia).
• Women who have a history of gestational diabetes during pregnancy or who have delivered babies weighing more than 9 pounds.

Other aspects should be watched in Diabetes

Weight
Obesity is the single most important risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Between 80% and 90% of people with diabetes are overweight -- that means they weigh at least 20% more than the ideal body weight for their height and build. To figure out if you're overweight, check the chart at the end of this handout and talk to your doctor. A healthy, low-fat diet and regular exercise can help you lose weight gradually and keep it off.

Age
The risk for type 2 diabetes increases with age. Half of all people diagnosed with diabetes are over 55. Although you can't change your age, you can work on other risk factors if you are over 45 years of age.

Family history
Although you can't change your family history either, it is important for you and your doctor to know what "runs in the family." Having 1 relative with diabetes doubles your chances of having it, and having 2 relatives with diabetes quadruples your chances. Tell your doctor if anyone in your family has diabetes.

Weight and Risk

Find your height in the left column, then look to the right to find the corresponding weight. If you weigh the amount shown (or more), you may be at risk for diabetes.

• Please see the complete weight table on http://familydoctor.org/347.xml,
• Without shoes.
  ** Based on ideal weight for person with medium build, without clothing, plus 20 percent.

Top Diabetes news links of the day

Drug therapy can prevent the development of diabetes in millions of people who are at high risk for the disease, a landmark study suggests, potentially opening a new pathway for curbing a devastating worldwide epidemic
GlaxoSmithKline, which holds the patent on rosiglitazone, is coordinating a media program surrounding the study release, and many of its top executives flew to Copenhagen for the presentation Friday. "We didn't know what to expect from the study but now we are very excited because the data are very compelling indeed," said Lawson Macartney, a senior vice president with the company.

But he said it was premature to promote the drug for preventive purposes, and the drug maker cannot legally do so until it has been approved by regulatory agencies in Europe and the United States for that use.
 

read more for this news, please link below
http://www.iht.com

The finding is being reported today in the journal Nature Genetics by researchers at Decode Genetics, a company in Reykjavik, Iceland, that specializes in finding the genetic roots of human diseases. Decode Genetics first found the variant gene - one of many different versions that exist in the human population - in Icelanders and has now confirmed the finding in a Danish and an American population.

read more for this news, please link below
http://www.nytimes.com

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For Today's Article -  Top Referred Websites

http://www.nytimes.com

http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbdiabet.htm

http://health.ivillage.com/mentalhealth/eat/0,,7h71,00.html

http://www.yourdiseaserisk.harvard.edu

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5111236.stm

http://www.diabetes.org/risk-test.jsp

http://familydoctor.org/347.xml

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/09/15/news/diabetes.php

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