American Medical Association - American Medical Association Guide to Living with Diabetes: Preventing and Treating Type 2 Diabetes - Essential Information You and Your Family Need to Know

PART ONE

Type 2 Diabetes: A Modern Epidemic

PART TWO

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

PART THREE

Diagnosing and Treating Type 2 Diabetes

PART FOUR

Complications of Diabetes

PART FIVE

Diabetes in Children

PART SIX

Diabetes during Pregnancy

ore than 19 million Americans have diabetes-a condition that can produce life-threatening complications. Of the two major forms of diabetes-type 1 and type 2-type 2 comprises 90 to 95 percent of all cases in the United States. An additional 13 million people have the precursor to type 2 diabetes, called prediabetes. Worldwide, type 2 diabetes affects more than 190 million people, and some experts predict that if the current trends continue that figure could surge to over 300 million by the year 2025.

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States, and annual diabetes-related medical costs total more than $100 billion. The predicted future increase in the number of cases is fueled by several factors. Americans are becoming increasingly sedentary and overweight; being overweight is the major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Age is another factor-most cases of type 2 diabetes develop after age 45. In addition, Hispanic Americans and other minority groups who have a high incidence of type 2 diabetes make up the fastest-growing segment of the US population.

The good news is that type 2 diabetes can often be prevented, mainly by eating a healthy and balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and keeping your weight within a healthy range. If you are overweight, losing just 5 to 7 percent of your weight (that's 10 to 14 pounds if you weigh 200 pounds) and keeping it off can cut your risk in half.

If you already have diabetes, close monitoring of your blood sugar levels along with healthy eating and regular exercise can help you manage your condition and avoid serious complications. Even small changes in your lifestyle can produce big health benefits. This book is designed to help you learn how to make those changes in your daily life that can help you avoid type 2 diabetes or, if you have type 2 diabetes, maintain good control of it and reduce your risk of complications.