Type 2 Diabetes: The Next Epidemic

In fact, health experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently found 90 percent of all diabetes cases are patients with type 2 diabetes. To learn more about current medical research studies on diabetes read medical magazines like Bottom Line/Health, Consumer Reports on Health and Family and Community Health.

Type 2 diabetes used to be known as adult-onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. It is a chronic condition that affects the body’s metabolization of sugar (glucose), which is the body’s main source of fuel. Often type 2 diabetes is preventable.

Type 2 diabetes makes the body resistant to the effects of insulin, a hormone that regulates sugar absorption in the cells and maintains sugar levels. Some patients with type 2 diabetes produce insulin but not an adequate amount.

While diabetes occurs in all ages and races, some groups have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than others. The disease is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged population. According to the American Diabetes Association diabetes affects more than 21 million Americans. Of those, more than 6 million are unaware they have diabetes. Additionally the ADA reports that 54 million Americans have pre-diabetes, which puts them at the greatest risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

The widespread potential, especially of minorities, of people with the disease and the presence of so many people unaware of their pre-disease potential are also reasons diabetes could be AIDS-like epidemic. Also like AIDS, at this time there is no cure for diabetes, only ways to treat complications and manage the disease.

Ways to prevent type 2 diabetes include eating health foods, exercising or incorporating physical activity daily to maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, losing just 10 pounds will reduce your risks. Committing to a routine of healthy eating and exercising is essential to reducing risk and preventing type 2 diabetes. For ideas on how to incorporate exercise read fitness magazines like Shape, muscle & Fitness and Fitness. Also, fitness magazines like Women’s Health, Men’s Health and Health often feature diabetes news and tips.

If your doctor has already diagnosed you with type 2 diabetes managing this serious disease is crucial. Neglected type 2 diabetes will put you at risk for serious life-threatening complications. Magazines like Diabetic Living, Diabetic Cooking and Diabetes Forecast will help keep you abreast of the latest diabetes news, healthy recipes and ways to stay motivated.

By: Jessica Vandelay

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

For more articles on diabetes prevention, visit www.magazines.com/ncom/mag?view=0&btn=D&l=20&search=health Jessica Vandelay is a free-lance writer in New York City.