Significance

• According to the American Diabetes Association, over 26 million people in the United States have some form of diabetes. There are an additional 57 million Americans with pre-diabetes (see Resources).
  
  

Identification

• Common symptoms of sugar diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst, fatigue, extreme hunger, weight loss, blurry vision, irritability and itching.
  
  

Function

• In sugar diabetes, the body does not properly use insulin. Instead of converting food to energy for the cells, the body holds onto it, causing rises in blood sugar levels.
  
  

Effects

• Serious complications associated with sugar diabetes include heart and kidney disease, stroke, blindness, neuropathy, amputations from infection and depression.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• Eat less refined carbohydrates, get more exercise and adequate sleep, reduce stress levels, follow a sensible diet and test blood sugar often. Keep in regular contact with your physician to prevent or improve sugar diabetes.