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Diabetes

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• Additional Resources

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 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.

You can’t control some risk factors for type 2 diabetes, 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.
• Make physical activity a habit. Health benefits are gained by doing the following each week:
  • Aerobic activity that includes:
    • 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or
    • 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, or
    • A combination of moderate and vigorous activity
    and
  • Muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more 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 provides information 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 insurance 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.     Tips to Help You Stay Healthy — This booklet provides an action plan for diabetes control that includes tips on controlling blood glucose levels. Being proactive can help prevent or delay diabetes complications and help you to feel your best.

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

5.   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

6.   Your Guide to Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2 — This booklet helps people with diabetes manage the disease through advice on eating healthy, checking blood glucose levels, and regular medical care.

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

7.   Attention Men: Are You Making the Link Between Your Diabetes and Heart Disease? (Copyright © ADA) — This fact sheet explains how diabetes increases risk of heart disease and stroke. It provides tips to help men with diabetes make lifestyle changes to lower the risk of diabetes-related heart disease.

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

8.   Type 1 Diabetes (Copyright © The Hormone Foundation) — This publication provides an overview of the signs, diagnosis, and treatment of type 1 diabetes. The information is available in English and Spanish.

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

9.   Type 2 Diabetes and A1c (Copyright © The Hormone Foundation) — This publication explains why and how often people with type 2 diabetes need an A1c test, which tells about blood glucose control over time. The publication is available in English and Spanish.

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

Organizations

1.   National Diabetes Education Program
2.   National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, NIDDK, NIH, HHS
3. American Association of Diabetes Educators
4. American Diabetes Association

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated June 1, 2009.