My name is Teresa Uriarte. I am a diabetes advocate. Both my parents are diabetic and I found out I was also a diabetic in 2005. Not the greatest news but I'm coping!
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All about 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 continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.
There are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes.
While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.
In order to determine whether or not a patient has pre-diabetes or diabetes, health care providers conduct a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT).
Either test can be used to diagnose pre-diabetes or diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends the FPG because it is easier, faster, and less expensive to perform.
With the FPG test, a fasting blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dl signals pre-diabetes.
A person with a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dl or higher has diabetes.
In the OGTT test, a person's blood glucose level is measured after a fast and two hours after drinking a glucose-rich beverage.
If the two-hour blood glucose level is between 140 and 199 mg/dl, the person tested has pre-diabetes.
If the two-hour blood glucose level is at 200 mg/dl or higher, the person tested has diabetes.
Major Types of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes
Results from the body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that "unlocks" the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them.
It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes
Results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency.
Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women - about 135,000 cases in the United States each year.
Pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
There are 54 million Americans who have pre-diabetes, in addition to the 20.8 million with diabetes.
What Type I have
I have Type 2 diabetes
I am having to change my whole life style and the way I eat. I am sick alot,can't handle any heat of any kind without breaking out in rashes,and my nose is always dry making it hard to breath. I also get a bloody nose quite often,which isn't that fun.
I can not afford a doctor so I am unable to get the meds I need. Its really hard for people to manage without medication ,nor any kind of health insurance.
I'm trying to find a way for people who have diabetes to get the help they need even if they don't have medical insurance.
I could use backup and help with this matter.
If you would like to help,just drop me a line.
Right now I'm just taking Multibetics to keep my sugar level ok since I can not go to a doctor.
If anyone would like to donate funds to help me with exspenses to get to a doctor that would be appreciated, or to help me pay for meds! (Please Help!)
If you have any diabetic tips,recipes, or words of encouragement,feel free to drop them my way!