Sources: American Diabetes Association, and Dieticians D. Endres and G. Peterman.

Almost 21 million Americans have diabetes according to the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes can be go unnoticed for a long period of time. In fact, over 6 million Americans don’t know they have diabetes.

Diabetes is a serious disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, and currently there is no cure. It is a non-discriminating disease that can occur regardless of age, ethnic background or gender, although people 55 and older are especially at risk.

The majority of people who develop diabetes have the most common form, known as Type II diabetes. Type II diabetes may be controlled in a variety of ways, depending on the individual situation. Untreated diabetes can lead to other life threatening diseases and long term complications, such as blindness, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputations, and nerve damage.

Symptoms of Type II diabetes are often hard to detect because they develop gradually and are often vague and unnoticeable until your physician points them out. You should look for on-going feelings of tiredness or weakness, frequent urination (especially at night), unusual thirst, unexplained weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections, and sores that aren’t healing.

If you have diabetes, you can help control its harmful affects by improving your diet, following a regular exercise regimen, and taking medications prescribed by your doctor.

Diet and exercise are a long term lifestyle change, not a quick fix. With the help of Registered and Licensed Dietitians, an individualized meal plan can be developed. This helps a person with diabetes feel more “normal” when eating out, during holidays, and other special events. Also, it’s very important to have regular doctor visits to monitor blood sugar levels, your medication’s effectiveness, and to avoid possible complications.

It is often helpful for people with diabetes to participate in a support group. Support groups provide the opportunity to learn about the disease, to ask questions or share concerns.

It is often helpful for people with diabetes to participate in a support group. Support groups provide the opportunity to learn about the disease, to ask questions or share concerns.

For more information or assistance, contact the American Diabetes Association.

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Source for the following are the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

According to the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health, diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that people with diabetes may face as a complication of this disease. All can cause severe vision loss or even blindness.

Diabetic eye disease may include the following.

1. Diabetic retinopathy which is damage to the blood vessels in the retina of the eye.
2. Cataracts which are a clouding of the eye’s lens.
3. Glaucoma which is an increase in fluid pressure inside the eye that leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision.

The National Eye Institute indicates that diabetic retinopathy is the most common eye disease related to diabetes.

The Eye Institute also indicates that retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in American adults. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. In some people, retinal blood vessels may swell and leak fluid. In others, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. These changes may result in vision loss or blindness.

Often, there aren’t any early symptoms of retinopathy. Vision may not change until the disease becomes severe. Also, there may not be any pain associated with early stages of retinopathy.

That’s why regular medical checkups and eye examinations for people with diabetes are so important. Diabetic retinopathy may not be totally prevented, but your risk can be greatly reduced with early detection and better control of your blood sugar level.

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