Diabetes is a disease caused when the body doesn't make enoughinsulin or can't use the insulin it makes. About 14 to 16 million Americans have diabetes. Six to seven million have it and don't know it. Cells require blood sugar (glucose) for fuel. Insulin helps drive blood sugar into body cells. Blood sugar is made from the foods we eat.

There are two main kinds of diabetes, Type I and Type II. Type I diabetes, or insulin dependent diabetes, happens when the body stops making insulin. It usually happens before age 30. An old name for Type I is juvenile onset diabetes. Insulin shots are required in Type I. Without these daily shots, the cells will starve, and the person will die. In addition to shots, the right amount and kind of food and exercise are important.

Type II diabetes, or non insulin dependent diabetes, usually happens to people over 40 who are overweight, don't exercise, and have a family history of diabetes. It is treated with diet changes, usually to lose weight, and exercise. Sometimes pills or insulin shots are needed in Type II.

Both kinds of diabetes can cause problems if blood sugar levels are high. This happens when foods break down and deliver sugar to the blood stream, but there is no insulin to help deliver the sugar to the cells. The most common problems are heart and kidney disease, stroke, nerve damage, blood flow and vision problems.

Signs of diabetes include:
* thirst,
* hunger,
* frequent urination, and
* frequent vaginal yeast infections in women.

Call your doctor if you have these symptoms, or if your vision is blurry. To learn more, call you local Diabetes Association or call (800) 232-3472.

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