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Millions of people have diabetes. Millions more have it and don't even know it. Diabetes is an epidemic in America as estimates of 1 in 3 people born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes during their lifetime. It is widespread and growing fast.

Diabetes has many negative factors on our economy. The average annual costs to treat someone with diabetes are over $13,000. Even if you have insurance, the co-pays, or deductibles can be prohibitive. Many people that have diagnosed with diabetes can not even afford the medication they need. This has multiple repercussions on our society as these untreated people develop complications that can take them out of the work force and leave them unable to care for their families.

Medical science has invested a lot of money in time in studying diabetes and trying to develop a cure. Before we get into the specifics of diabetes, you will need to know a few terms.

Insulin: Hormone (one of the most important ones) that is secreted by cells in the pancreas. Insulin is needed to maintain normal blood sugar levels, to keep fat stored in fat cells and to make sure protein is used to build muscles.

Pancreas: An organ located in the lower part of the stomach that secretes enzymes into the small intestine to help digest food. The pancreas is about the size of a fist. The pancreas can be donated and transplanted typically for diabetic patients who suffer kidney failure.

Diabetes occurs when people do not make enough insulin or they have problems responding to the insulin there body does make. There are 3 types of diabetes, Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes. Type 1 is when the body makes no insulin. Type 2 is when the body cannot use the insulin it makes. Gestational diabetes occurs when a pregnant woman's pancreas cannot keep up with the extra demand placed on it during the pregnancy. The pancreas cannot produce enough extra insulin, resulting in high levels of blood sugar. This condition is called hyperglycemia.

Type 2 diabetes and Gestational Diabetes can be prevented; Type 1 cannot.