Disease

There are Four Types of Diabetes.

The first is called type 1 diabetes which affects some 5 – 10% of the total diabetic population. This condition used to be referred to as either insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes. Its cause is unknown, but it’s an autoimmune disease in which a person’s body attacks the cells that produce insulin in the organ called the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that is essential in assisting cells in the blood to accept sugar coming from food. When these cells (beta cells) in the pancreas can no longer produce insulin – it causes an inability of cells to accept the sugar which in turn causing the sugar to increase higher and higher. Type 1 diabetes is most commonly diagnosed before age 20. It’s rarely diagnosed later in life, but it can happen. Individuals who have this type of diabetes have to inject insulin via a syringe for the rest of their life. Individuals with this type of diabetes have to monitor their blood sugar closely every day and follow an active physical activity program. There is no cure, but there is some promising research that may heal these patients.

The second type of diabetes is called pre-diabetes. This condition does not mean that a person is diabetic – it means that it increases your chance of developing this disease, unless immediate action takes place. During this condition the blood sugar exceeds (120 mg/dl) the normal fasting number when fasting. Some individuals may take oral hypoglycemic medications (i.e. Glucophage) temporarily to help bring their blood sugar down. Physical activity (exercise) is essential to all diabetics and is one of the best ways along with a healthy diet to keep blood sugar in a healthy range.

The third type of diabetes and most frequent is called type II. This type affects nearly 90 – 95% of all diabetics. This disease begins with the body’s inability to accept insulin which in touch allows the sugar in the blood to be taken in the cell to get burned for energy. This condition is called insulin resistance. Or similar to type I diabetes, the body may not be produce enough insulin from the pancreas. As with each type of this disease, when blood sugar remains higher than 120 mg/dl at a fasting state, diabetes complications will soon follow. The following races seem to be more susceptible to developing this type of diabetes … Blacks, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans and Pacific islanders and Hawaiians.

The fourth and least common type is called Gestational diabetes. This type can occur during pregnancy. Between 40 – 60% of women with this type of diabetes will develop type II diabetes in a span of 10 years post-partum. The numbers are high, yes, but it is not inevitable that women with gestational diabetes will have diabetes for life.

Check back next week when we discuss diagnostic criteria for each type of diabetes.

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Steve J. Roch Jr., RD, LDN, CFT is a registered and licensed dietitian. He is also a certified personal trainer. Steve is the owner and president of BestRD Wellness, LLC, a company that provides nutrition therapy and wellness services to residents and businesses in the areas of New Orleans and South Louisiana. Steve can be contacted by email at steve@bestrdwellness.com.

For the next few weeks – I want to donate some attention toward this disease. I will lay out a detailed presentation of how to live a ‘normal’ life for those affected. Upcoming blogs will include learning about rates and statistics in the U.S. and Louisiana, what types of diabetes exist, diagnosed criteria, specific test to monitor, prevention tips and nutrition basics of managing this disease. I hope you will obtain a better understanding of this disease and enjoy the information presented. I also look forward to reading your posted feedback.

Diabetes rates:

The prevalence of diabetes is quickly soaring to become one of the top preventable diseases and causes of premature death in the United States. Little over 1.5 million Americans over the age of 20 are diagnosed with diabetes every year. Currently, some 24 million people in the U.S. have diabetes. That’s nearly 8% of our entire population. Diabetes rates are increasing rapidly and expected to double in the next 20-30 years. So, we must act quickly to counter this seemingly grim fate. It’s that important!

National Demographics:

This disease does not discriminate between genders. The numbers are nearly split down the center between men (12 million) and women (11.5 million). Considering age brackets 12.2 million or 23.1% of Americans over the age of 60 have the disease. Almost 11% of Americans over age 20 have the disease. A little under 186,000 children and teens under the age of 20 have the disease.

Louisiana Demographics:

In Louisiana, we fare much worse than other states. Orleans parish has some of the highest rates in the state with 10.6% of its population being diabetic. Following Orleans is Tangipahoa (11.1%); Plaquemines (10.7); St. Charles (10.4%); Jefferson (10.2%); St. Bernard (9.9) and St. Tammany (7.9%) being the home to the lowest prevalence of diabetics in Louisiana. In just ten short years the prevalence of newly diagnosed diabetics in LA has risen from 5.2% in 1997 to 10.1% in 2007. Sadly, our state posts the highest death rate from diabetes in the nation (35.5 per 100,000 population).

Cost of Diabetes (Nationally):

Total costs associated with diabetes have been reported to be a staggering $174 billion (yes that’s with a B) annually. A closer look at the numbers reveals $116 billion goes toward direct medical costs and another $58 billion for indirect costs (disability, work loss, premature mortality). Considering related factors such as gestational diabetes, pre-diabetes and undiagnosed diabetes, the cost rises to an eye twitching $218 billion annually. In 2006, total costs related to diabetes in Louisiana were approximately $2,431,000,000.

Check back next week when we define the various types of diabetes. For more information about diabetes rates in Louisiana, check out the Louisiana Diabetes Control Program (DPCP) Website here .

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Steve J. Roch Jr., RD, LDN, CFT is a registered and licensed dietitian. He is also a certified personal trainer. Steve is the owner and president of BestRD Wellness, LLC, a company that provides nutrition therapy and wellness services to residents and businesses in the areas of New Orleans and South Louisiana. Steve can be contacted by email at steve@bestrdwellness.com.