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Diabetes mellitus is a medical disorder characterized by persistent variable hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels), resulting either from inadequate secretion of the hormone insulin, an inadequate response by the body's cells to insulin, or a combination of these factors.
The most common forms of diabetes are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Type 1 (10% of cases) is due to destruction of the islets of Langerhans, which produce insulin; it can only be treated with insulin injections. In type 2 (90% of cases) the main problem is decreased sensitivity of the body's cells to insulin, known as insulin resistance, although insulin production is often affected in the later stages; as well as diet and exercise, treatment usually is with tablets, or eventually with insulin injections. Gestational diabetes may develop during pregnancy and is similar to type 2 in its mechanism; it may affect fetal health and 40% of women with gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes later on in life.
Since the discovery of insulin (1921) diabetes has been a treatable but chronic condition, and the main risks to health are its characteristic long-term complications. These include cardiovascular disease (doubled risk), chronic renal failure (it is the main cause for dialysis in developed world adults), retinal damage which can lead to blindness and is the most significant cause of adult blindness in the non-elderly in the developed world, nerve damage, erectile dysfunction (impotence), to gangrene with risk of amputation of toes, feet, and even legs.
More on [ Diabetes mellitus ]
Study Identifies Key Factor that Links Metabolic Syndrome
Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:15:11 -0500
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center has identified insulin resistance in the liver as a key factor in the cause of metabolic syndrome and its associated atherosclerosis. Additional information at Diabetes More topics at Consumer Information
Anti-Inflammatory Drug May Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:13:45 -0500
An inexpensive anti-inflammatory drug similar to aspirin may prevent type 2 diabetes by lowering blood glucose and reducing inflammation. Additional information at Diabetes More topics at Consumer Information
APMA KidsZone - Learn about diabetes and foot health. Watch a cartoon, play games, and enter a drawing competition.
Meta Description: [ APMA Kids ]
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Children Have Diabetes Too - Illustrated story about a 10-year-old boy and his family. Tells about symptoms, being in the hospital, medicines, and school.
Meta Description: [ Everything you wanted to know about diabetes. ]
Children with Diabetes - Meet other kids and teens, read about parents' feelings, and tips about tests and shots. Includes mailing list for kids and mailing list for teens.
Meta Description: [ Children with Diabetes is the online community for parents, kids, adults, and families living with type 1 diabetes. ]
Countdown For Kids - Online version of the magazine published by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Includes feature articles from current and past issues, pen pal board, and related links.
D-Zone - For teens to learn about Type 1, managing at school and talking to friends. Sections on risky behaviour, dealing with parents and what to do on the job.
Diabetes Explained - Pick a topic, take the tutorial or view basic information with a guide named Sid. Includes a chat board. (University project)
Diabetes.org: For Teens - Explains how diabetes affects teens' lives. Includes sex and pregnancy, eating healthy, and alcohol and tobacco use.
Meta Description: [ Diabetes information for teenagers with diabetes. ]
Diabetes.org: Youth Zone - Learn about type 1 and type 2, eating healthy, exercise, and checking your sugar. Play games, answer riddles, and read fun facts. [Free Shockwave download for games.]
Enchanted Kingdom - Jared tells his diabetes story. Provides recipes and tips for food choices and eating away from home for diabetic children.
Meta Description: [ For people who live with diabetes in their daily lives ]
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Famous Diabetics - Lists famous people, by profession, who have (or had) diabetes.
Meta Description: [ FAMOUS DIABETICS AND SOON TO BE FAMOUS DIABETICS Http://www.FamousDiabetics.com FamousDiabetics FamousDiabetes FamousDiabetics FamousDiabetes Famous Diabetics Famous Diabetes ]
Grandma Sandy Books - Illustrated stories about type 1 diabetes and insulin pumps. [Free Adobe Acrobat download required.] (In Hebrew, French, Spanish, Swedish, Italian and Afrikaans.)
Meta Description: [ Grandma Sandy's Games and Books for children with Type One Juvenile Diabetes. ]
Hong Kong Juvenile Diabetes Association - Providing support to children, families and schools, organizing educational and recreational activities for members and offering a regular newsletter and message board.
Meta Description: [ Hong Kong Juvenile Diabetes Association was started in February 2001 to benefit all Hong Kong children with diabetes mellitus. ]
JDRF Kids Online - Tells about the condition, how it is treated, and the search for a cure. Includes a place to share artwork, ideas, and stories, or find a pen pal. From the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International.
Juvenile Diabetes Forum at Med Help - Interactive medical question and answer format about all aspects of juvenile (type 1) diabetes. Replies are given by online volunteers at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF).
Meta Description: [ Interactive medical question and answer format about all aspects of juvenile diabetes (type 1 diabetes). Patient question is replied to by online volunteers from the Juvenile Diabates Research Foundation. ]
Kids Learn About Diabetes - Tutorial presents information about diabetes, treatments, and associated feelings in easy-to-understand terms.
Kids R Pumping - Learn about the insulin pump, and some kids and teens who use it.
KidsHealth: Recipes for Kids With Diabetes - Recipes that won't upset blood sugar levels, like a club wrap, chocolate chip cookies, and a pizza snack.
Meta Description: [ These recipes are especially for kids with diabetes, but it can be a nutritious part of almost anyone's diet. Kids with diabetes may need to pay extra attention to the amount of carbohydrates they eat to maintain control of their blood sugar levels. ]
Kidszone - Learn about Type 1, how to manage at school and what to tell friends. Colour pictures, learn about foods and solve puzzles.
Overcoming Juvenile Diabetes With A Little Planning And High-Tech Tools - Information for teens includes controlling diabetes, the importance of insulin, and progress toward a cure.
Meta Description: [ There is much to learn after a diabetes diagnosis, particularly how important it is to take insulin regularly, eat a proper diet, and monitor blood sugar levels. This means being more responsible for your well-being than most teenagers. ]
Pump Expeditions - Solve the mystery with Zack and experience what life would be like on an insulin pump.
Meta Description: [ Ever wonder what life would be like on an insulin pump? Now you can explore insulin pump therapy with Zack on Pump Expeditions, a fun and educational game for people of all ages living with diabetes ]
The Diabetes Quiz - Facts about the disease are presented as a series of multiple choice questions which can be answered against the clock. A separate database contains the correct answers.
Meta Description: [ The Diabetes Quiz and Diabetes Database ]
The Juvenile Diabetes Forum - Interactive medical question and answer format about all aspects of juvenile (type 1) diabetes.
Meta Description: [ Interactive medical question and answer format about all aspects of juvenile diabetes (type 1 diabetes). Patient question is replied to by online volunteers from the Juvenile Diabates Research Foundation. ]
Harvard Medical Research: Diabetes - Diabetes: health and research information from Harvard medical faculty
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