Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects as many as 16 million Americans, with diabetes being on such a dramatic increase in the United States, it's helpful to understand what diabetes is, and what to look for. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, renal failure, and amputation in the United States, and is associated with a range of complications, including heart attacks, strokes, amputations and loss of vision. Diabetes is a chronic (life-long) condition that can have serious consequences. Diabetes is often described as type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes, and it is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors.

Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or IDDM, accounts for 5 percent to 10 percent of diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes develops when the immune system attacks the body, destroying pancreatic b cells and preventing the pancreas from producing the insulin. Type 1 Diabetes is considered an autoimmune disease and is usually diagnosed in children and young adults.

Type 2 diabetes may account for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes and affects approximately 8 percent of adults in the United States. In type 2 diabetes, the body doesn't produce enough insulin (a hormone that controls blood sugar) or doesn't respond properly to insulin (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin). Diet, exercise, oral medication, and insulin are the cornerstones of type 2 diabetes treatment.

As incredible as it sounds, coffee drinkers have a substantially lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people who abstain from the beverage. People who are overweight (meaning they have a body mass index of 25 or more) do have an increased risk for diabetes, and the risk increases with size, research has shown that strength training can help overweight adults lower their risk of diabetes. In fact, modest, consistent physical activity and a healthy diet can cut your risk for developing type 2 diabetes by nearly 60 percent.

We often think of overweight adults as being at risk for having diabetes, but it is now know that many overweight teens are at risk for diabetes too. Among the risk factors, diabetes was one of the strongest independent predictors for acute organ failure, with a threefold increased risk. If you want to calculate your personal risk of diabetes, you can visit the American Diabetes Association website.

Risk Factors and Symptoms for Gestational Diabetes
There are several risk factors for gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a glucose intolerance that develops in pregnancy. While gestational diabetes only affects about 4% of pregnant women, if you feel you are at risk, you may want to get tested. Most doctors do a glucose test between 20 and 24 weeks gestation. If your numbers are high after this test, they will have you do a 3-hour test. This longer test is what will give you a definite diagnosis.

Most women with Gestational Diabetes rarely show signs or symptoms of GD.
Some common signs of gestational diabetes are......

• Increased Thirst
• Weight Loss - Weight loss with increased appetite.
• Fatigue - Again, most pregnant women feel more tired than usual.
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Frequent Infections
• Blurred Vision

Risk Factors

• Age - While there is some dispute as to what the age is for being at risk, medical authorities will quote anytime between 25 to 35 years of age as being a determining factor.
• Obesity - One of the major risk factors for gestational diabetes, obesity is defined as scoring more than 30 body mass index (BMI) for your height and weight.
• Race - Women of Hispanic, Native American, African American, Pacific Island or South or East Asian descent seem to be more at risk for gestational diabetes.
• Family history - If your parents or siblings suffer from diabetes of any type, it can increase your chances of developing gestational diabetes when pregnant.
• Gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy - If you developed diabetes in a previous pregnancy, chances are it will come back in subsequent pregnancies. Your chances of developing it again range from 30 to 80%, depending on your other risk factors.

Some authorities consider a previous baby over 8 lbs 5 oz as a risk factor, while others don't count the weight of previous babies unless they are 9 lbs or more. While gestational diabetes can be a cause for high birth weights, it can also cause low birth weight babies. High birth weight babies will often have their blood sugar tested at the hospital to make sure they don't suddenly drop to a low level.

• Miscarriages/still births - If you have had unexplained miscarriages or had a stillbirth, you may be more at risk for developing gestational diabetes. Miscarriage is a symptom of PCOS, which in turn could lead to diabetes due to insulin resistance.
• Smoking - Smokers have double the chance of developing gestational diabetes than those who do not smoke. Smoking also can cause other gestational complications like a low birth-weight baby and placental problems.
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) already causes difficulty in conception due to hormonal imbalances.

Women suffering from PCOS often experience weight problems, irregular ovulation and menstrual cycles, and excessive effects of masculine hormones. PCOS causes a resistance to insulin, which in pregnancy is more pronounced due to the extra needs of the fetus and the mother's body.

As you can see, it is important to check your risk factors for gestational diabetes.