Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disease affecting approximately 7% of the US population.  Diabetes is categorized into two classes: Type 1, or insulin dependent diabetes, and Type 2, or adult onset diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone necessary for the metabolism of glucose.  Type 1 Diabetes is generally diagnosed in childhood or early adolescence and is considered to be primarily genetic in origin.  Symptoms include extreme hunger, fatigue, rapid weight loss and blurry vision.  There is no cure for Diabetes, but successful treatment includes insulin injections, blood sugar monitoring, a healthy diet, and regular exercise.

Type 2 Diabetes accounts for 90-95% of all Diabetes cases in the United States.  In Type 2 Diabetes, the body is either insulin resistant or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.  This type is often preventable and is strongly linked to obesity.  Symptoms are similar to Type 1 Diabetes but, depending on the severity, treatment may only include blood sugar monitoring, a healthy diet, and regular exercise.  Severe or advanced cases may require medication and/or insulin injections.

Resources at Northwestern for Diabetes:

The Division of Endocrinology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for a variety of endocrine related disorders.  Physicians in the department specialize in endocrine tumors, endocrine disease genetics, gestational diabetes, and offer specialized services in diagnosis and treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.  The department participates in a variety of NIH-sponsored research trials.  Results from NMH’s participation in the National Institute’s of Health 10-year study on prevention of type 2 diabetes can be found at http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/news/2009C-October/Diabetes.html.

Click to see physician finder:

http://nmhphysicians.photobooks.com/

Northwestern Physicians/ Researchers specializing in Diabetes treatment:

The Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine at Northwestern University features a diverse faculty, many of whom are leaders in their field.  The department, headed by Dr. Andrea Dunaif, is committed to clinical and basic science research development and training.  The research interests of the department are diverse and extend to multiple subfields of endocrinology.  Researchers studying diabetes include Dr. Franck Mauvais-Jarvis, who studies the role of estrogen receptors in pancreatic cells, Dr. M. Geoffrey Hayes, PhD, who studies the genetic components of diabetes, and Dr. Boyd E. Metzger, MD, whose research on gestational diabetes has been widely published.

IWHR Highlighted Researcher

Dr. Robert F Kushner, MD, MS is the Clinical Director of the Northwestern Comprehensive Center on Obesity and a Professor of Medicine at the Feinberg School of Medicine.  Dr. Kushner has published various books, book chapters, and articles and serves on the editorial board of various prestigious journals including Obesity, Obesity Management, and the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.  Popular publications include Dr. Kushner’s Personality Type Diet, Treatment of the Obese Patient and Fitness Unleashed: A Dog and Owner’s Guide to Losing Weight and Gaining Health Together.  Although Dr. Kushner’s research interests are in obesity and nutrition, his research and publications have implications for a diabetic population.  Recently he published a study in Obesity examining various lifestyle interventions for prevention of weight gain in type II diabetic patients taking the common diabetes medication pioglitazone (Actos®).  The study showed that the weight gain side effects commonly associated with this medication can be diminished or alleviated by lifestyle interventions such as medical nutrition therapy (MNT).  The greatest success was seen in patients who received intensive follow up MNT, which included lessons in meal planning, food preparation, goal-setting and exercise recommendations.

For information on Dr. Kushner or to purchase his books:

http://www.counselingoverweightadults.com/

Other Useful Links and Resources:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diabetes.html
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/
http://www.diabetes.org
http://www.dlife.com/

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Comments

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Hi I have a friend who attributes his diabetes to a high fat diet, lack of exercise and smoking. He has tried to give up smoking and eat a low fat diet without success.His movement is now restricted as he easily becomes breathless when walking. He has had to give up his job and retire from work entirely.

Diabetes is a fatal disease as it causes a lot of diseases and the end result is very a miserable death. This article provides a a lot of useful information and makes it easier for the reader to fully understand the complications caused by diabetes and then come to know the treatment options.

When we realize we have diabetes symptoms, it is a time to take stock of what we need to do to correct them. I've made a study of how to avoid getting the disease and, so far, I've been successful. It is important, I think, not to take a diagnosis as a death sentence, but rather as a challenge to stop doing the things that are leading us toward diabetes. We have effectively been given a second chance, but it takes determination and a firm commitment to do what we must to reverse the diabetes symptoms. Allowing ourselves to be put on medication just hinders this process, due to the tiredness and digestive upsets that Metformin causes. When we have the option as the ADA and the CDC tell us to reverse the symptoms on our own, why pay for a medication that only seems to make it easier to give up and slide down the slippery slope into more and more diabetes complications. Be strong and fight this disease, my friends. We can win.

My mom had type 1. Had to take shots everyday. Not a good thing to have to grow up with. Scary stuff, but she had a really bad diet. Health is key here. Hopefully anyone else reading will use these resources given.

Hi What a great idea to have a diabetes awareness month! So many people are unaware that diabetes two is largely a "lifestyle" disease and can be prevented or reversed to a large extent. It would be great to have everyone tested for raised blood sugar levels, particularly those of us who are overweight. Thanks for your articles and keep up the awareness campaigns. I am interested in signing up for any feed-backs you provide. Margaret

What people need to know is be familiar or at least have an idea of what the disorder is about. Early detection is vital so medications can be given without much complication. But of course it should start with knowledge. It's a good thing that more and more are becoming aware of the disorder and these people are becoming more responsive participants than a passive one.

Informative posting! I think this posting would be effective for all. Thank you for sharing with us.

Didn't know about the two types of diabetes. Thanks for the insight.

The most important thing is that you have to generate awareness around the terrible disease of diabetes. The best way to remove it is with natural remedies eating right and getting plenty of exercise.

November has rolled around again, making this post current again, and the condition is continuing to take an ever stronger hold on the community. I hope people take advantage of the services mentioned here and avoid becoming a Diabetes statistic

As a personal trainer I'm seeing quite a few of clients suffer with diabetes, there is some great info in here... I'm going to share this post with my members.

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