Fairfield-Echo.com

The three major categories of diabetes are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. The latter occurs during pregnancy and is usually temporary (lasting only through pregnancy). Type 1 or type 2 diabetes can lead to serious complications from high glucose levels, including blindness, kidney disease and nerve damage, as well as vascular disease that can lead to amputations, heart disease and stroke. Gestational diabetes places a woman at greater risk of developing type 2 at some later time in her life.

The new term "pre-diabetes" describes an increasingly common condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet diabetic. Research supported by the US Department of Health and Human Services has shown that most people with this condition go on to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years unless they make modest changes in their diet and level of physical activity, which can help them reduce their risks and avoid the debilitating disease.

An estimated 20.8 million people in the US have diabetes, and nearly one third of those do not know they have it. Another 41 million people have pre-diabetes. Each year, about 1.3 million people are diagnosed with diabetes and more than 200,000 die from the disease.

Diabetes can strike at any age, but your risk for developing the disease increases as you age. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes increased by more than 60 percent from 1990 to 2001. The number of Americans with diabetes is growing by an alarming eight percent per year and the disease is the single most prevalent chronic illness in children.

Key risk factors that you can control are obesity and sedentary lifestyle. If you are more than 20 percent above your ideal weight and rarely exercise, have your glucose tested and discuss a fitness plan with a health care professional. Losing even 10 pounds and exercising three times a week cuts your chances of developing diabetes.

Risk factors that you can't control are age, family history of diabetes and ethnic heritage. African Americans, Latino/Hispanics, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders and Asians are all more likely to develop type 2 diabetes (although Northern Europeans are more likely to contract type 1).

The best test for diabetes is one that measures fasting plasma glucose. The normal, nondiabetic range for blood glucose is from 70 to 100mg/dL. A level over 126 mg/dL usually means diabetes. A fasting plasma glucose test of 100 mg/dL or greater, but less than 126 mg/dL, indicates impaired fasting glucose or pre-diabetes, a frequent precursor to diabetes.

If you are diagnosed with diabetes, you can cut by half or more your risk of developing many of the associated complications—such as kidney disease and neuropathy—by following an intensive glucose management regimen, which includes frequently testing blood sugar, administering insulin (if applicable) on the basis of food intake and exercise, following a diet and exercise plan, and frequently consulting a health care team.

You should not smoke.

There is no cure for diabetes. However, it is almost always manageable, either with diet and exercise alone or with the addition of regular medical treatment. Diet and exercise also are key to reducing risk.

It's important to control the "ABCs" of diabetes: A for the A1C test (hemoglobin A1C); B for blood pressure and C for cholesterol. The National Institutes of Health and the American Diabetes Association recommend the following target numbers: A1C: below 7 (an average blood glucose of 150); blood pressure below 130/80; and LDL cholesterol below 100. Talk to your health care professional about your "ABC" targets and your blood pressure (keeping it at less than 130/80) and LDL cholesterol (less than 100 mg/dL is optimal for individuals with diabetes; less than 70 mg/dL is desirable for those with both diabetes and heart disease).