Diabetics are more likely to have high triglycerides and low HDL (good lipid). They are also much more likely to have "small dense" LDL (bad lipid). Small dense LDL is more likely to cause athersclerosis than "large fluffy" LDL. For these reasons, diabetics often require more intensive lipid management than people without diabetes.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes is a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles. There are two major types of diabetes:
Type 1 - A disease in which the body does not produce any insulin, most often occurring in children and young adults. People with Type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections to stay alive. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5 to 10 percent of diabetes.
Type 2 - A metabolic disorder resulting from the body's inability to make enough, or properly use, insulin. It is the most common form of the disease. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 to 95 percent of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is nearing epidemic proportions, due to an increased number of older Americans, and a greater prevalence of obesity and sedentary lifestyles.
Often diabetes goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless. Recent studies indicate the early detection and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.
The Symptoms of Diabetes:
Frequent urination
Excessive thirst
Extreme hunger
Unusual weight loss
Increased fatigue
Irritability
Blurry vision
If you have one or more of these symptoms, see your doctor right away.
Could you have diabetes and not know it?
Take the American Diabetes Association Diabetes Risk Test
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The statistics:
Diabetes is a serious disease that can lead to blindness, heart disease, strokes, kidney failure, and amputations.
Diabetes kills more than 193,000 people each year in the U.S.
10,600,000 Americans have physician-diagnosed diabetes (about 4.9 million males and 5.7 million females).
There may be another 10 million people in the U.S. with undiagnosed diabetes.
798,000 new cases of type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes are diagnosed every year.
Two-thirds of people with diabetes mellitus die from some form of heart or blood vessel disease.
