GptAdmin : Health : Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy. The cause of diabetes is unknown, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles. There are 18.2 million people in the United States, or 6.3% of the population, who have diabetes. Nearly one-third of people with diabetes remain undiagnosed, unaware that they have the diabetes.

The major types of diabetes include Type 1 diabetes, which results from the body's failure to produce insulin, Type 2 diabetes, which results from insulin resistance combined with relative insulin deficiency, Gestational diabetes, which affects about 4 % of all pregnant women in the U.S. annually, and Pre-diabetes, which occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. If you are concerned or feel that you might be at risk for diabetes, it is important that you consult with your family doctor immediately. There are many public resources available to provide information on prevention and treatment of diabetes.

Sites:

» American Association of Diabetes Educators -

Founded in 1973, the American Association of Diabetes Educators is a multi-disciplinary professional membership organization dedicated to promoting the expertise of the diabetes educator, ensuring the delivery of quality diabetes self-management training to the patient and influencing and contributing to the future content and direction of the profession.

AADE mission: Driving professional practice to promote healthy living through self-management of diabetes and related conditions.

AADE vision: Successful self-management for all people with diabetes and related conditions.

AADE assists its members and the larger healthcare community in treating people with diabetes and those who are in danger of contracting the disease. This is accomplished with a dynamic organizational structure that is dedicated to:

Advancing recognition of diabetes self-management training as central to quality diabetes prevention and care.

Serving as a leader in the education of our members, the broader healthcare community and the diabetes and pre-diabetes populations. Advocating for improved patient access to diabetes self-management training and equitable reimbursement for certified diabetes educators. Continuing to develop an effective and efficient organization that serves member needs and contributes to the larger healthcare community. Developing a diverse membership that reflects the diabetes population and enhances and promotes the benefits of diabetes self-management training and prevention through the team approach. Promoting and conducting research in diabetes self-management training.

» American Diabetes Association Home Page -

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

There are 20.8 million people in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

In order to determine whether or not a patient has pre-diabetes or diabetes, health care providers conduct a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Either test can be used to diagnose pre-diabetes or diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends the FPG because it is easier, faster, and less expensive to perform.

With the FPG test, a fasting blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dl signals pre-diabetes. A person with a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dl or higher has diabetes.

In the OGTT test, a person's blood glucose level is measured after a fast and two hours after drinking a glucose-rich beverage. If the two-hour blood glucose level is between 140 and 199 mg/dl, the person tested has pre-diabetes. If the two-hour blood glucose level is at 200 mg/dl or higher, the person tested has diabetes.

» Canadian Diabetes Association -

Charles Best, the co-discover of insulin, had a vision. Very early on he saw that the growing number of Canadians with diabetes were going to require an organization to serve their needs. In the late 1940's, the Diabetic Association of Ontario was formed.

As the provinces and territories formed their own associations, it became clear that if the provincial branches combined their resources they could more effectively serve their membership. This culminated in the formation of Canadian Diabetes Association in 1953.

Established over 50 years ago, the Canadian

Diabetes Association is a charitable organization that has grown to include a presence in more than 150 communities across the country. The Canadian Diabetes Association promotes the health of Canadians through diabetes research, education, service and advocacy.

Our Mission:

To promote the health of Canadians through diabetes research, education, service and advocacy.

» Diabetes Australia -

Diabetes Australia is the third oldest diabetes association in the world after the United Kingdom and Portugal.

Diabetes Australia ~ NSW was established in 1937 as a voluntary support group. Today it is a part of a federation of twelve organisations ~ medical, education and scientific, research and community based ~ coordinated and facilitated through the national office in Canberra.

These organisations comprise eight State and Territory Associations of Diabetes Australia, the Australian Diabetes Society, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, the Kellion Diabetes Foundation and The Diabetes Research Foundation ~ Western Australia.

Diabetes Australia is a not-for-profit organisation reliant on community support. All funds raised on behalf of the organisation are re-invested into research, health services, provision of self–management products and services, and public awareness. It offers personalised and practical assistance to benefit people with diabetes and their carers and provides a forum for the development of national policies.

The national office acts as the administrative and operational centre for the agency. It facilitates negotiations with the Federal Government and other national bodies. Its key purposes are to:

facilitate the achievement of the key strategies of Diabetes Australia; coordinate those activities which are best managed at national level; and advocate for the person with diabetes where a national outcome is sought.

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of Diabetes Australia is to minimise the impact of diabetes. The national company, Diabetes Australia Ltd., exists to assist member organisations in achieving this purpose.

Mission Statement

The mission of Diabetes Australia Ltd. is to facilitate, and where appropriate, co-ordinate the Diabetes Australia movement’s achievements of its key strategic directions and to advocate for people with diabetes where a national outcome is sought.

Values Statement

Diabetes Australia Ltd. values above all else the wellbeing of people affected by diabetes. Diabetes Australia Ltd. values the pursuit of the highest standards of professionalism, quality and ethics.

In everyday interactions Diabetes Australia Ltd. values:

fairness, honesty, confidentiality and integrity of all associated with the organisation; collaborative partnerships with its member organisations, government and other like-minded organisations; the diversity and roles of individual member organisations; and continuous improvement and innovation.

Vision Statement

The vision of Diabetes Australia Ltd is to be: an innovative, valued organisation focussed clearly, through its member organisations, on the needs of people affected by diabetes;

a leader in achieving equity for people with diabetes; the major contributor to public awareness of diabetes; raising significant annual funding for diabetes research;the peak body for diabetes in Australia.

» Diabetes UK Home page -

Diabetes UK is the largest organisation in the UK working for people with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people live with the condition.

We have over 170,000 members and are working for people with diabetes, their carers, family and friends. We represent the interests of people with diabetes by lobbying the government for better standards of care and the best quality of life. Diabetes UK spends over ￡5 million on research every year to improve the treatment of diabetes and we hope our research will ultimately lead to finding a cure for diabetes.

Our mission is to improve the lives of people with diabetes and to work towards a future without diabetes.

Where we are now

Following on from the successes of our previous five-year plan, we are now in a strong position to continue developing and responding to changing environments and this is reflected in our strategic plan for 2004–2007.

» Diabetes information including treating type 2 diabetes at Diabetes.com -

Managing your type 2 diabetes means making a few changes in how you live. The basic steps are: Eat right; manage your weight; be physically active, and don’t smoke.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe diabetes medicines.

Keep your blood sugar under control now. It can help reduce the risk of diabetes-related problems later. This site offers lots of information to help, along with special features like these:

» Joslin Diabetes Center - Diabetes, Diabetes Treatment, Diabetes Symptom, Diabetes Research and Diabetes Education -

Joslin Diabetes Center is the only diabetes institution in the world that goes beyond a single focus. With efforts in these three critical areas, a synergy develops: researchers, clinicians and educators collaborate in ways that produce cutting-edge scientific discovery, unique clinical care models and pioneering educational strategies. This one-of-a-kind framework has an impact on people with diabetes locally, nationally and across the globe.

» The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) -

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is the only global advocate for people with diabetes and their healthcare providers. We work together with our member associations to enhance the lives of people with diabetes worldwide. Our mission is to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide.

Since we first took up the diabetes cause in 1950, we have evolved into an umbrella organization of 185 diabetes associations in 145 countries.

IDF is a non-governmental organization in official relations with the World Health Organization.

» Welcome to Diabetes UK -

Diabetes UK is the leading charity working for people with diabetes. We fund research, campaign and help people to live with the condition.

Our mission is to improve the lives of people with diabetes and to work towards a future without diabetes.

» diabetes:diabetesjournals.org -

ABOUT THE JOURNAL

Diabetes publishes original research about the physiology and pathophysiology of diabetes. Submitted manuscripts can report any aspect of laboratory, animal, or human research. Emphasis is on investigative reports focusing on areas such as the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications, normal and pathological pancreatic islet function and intermediary metabolism, pharmacological mechanisms of drug and hormone action, and biochemical and molecular aspects of normal and abnormal biological processes. Studies in the areas of diabetes education or the application of accepted therapeutic and diagnostic approaches to patients with diabetes are not published.

All contributions, including solicited articles and symposia, are critically reviewed by the editors and invited referees. Reviewers' comments are usually provided to authors. The decision of the editors is final. Authors are welcome to suggest the names of individuals they consider qualified to serve as reviewers.

Each original article will be assigned to a category in the table of contents. The category assignment is made by the editors, but authors are invited to suggest a category when submitting their manuscript.

WEB-BASED MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION

The incoming editor of Diabetes, Franz M. Matschinsky, MD, began his term with the January 2002 issue. Diabetes will take only online manuscript submissions. The submission site can be found at http://diabetes.manuscriptcentral.com. Please read all instructions carefully. Failure to follow the submission instructions may delay the review process.

EDITORIAL OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION

The editorial office can be reached at

Phone: (215) 382-4282 (new number as of 4 August 2003)

Fax: (215) 382-4285 (new number as of 23 September 2003)

E-mail: diabetes@mail.med.upenn.edu.

Last Updated: 2005-10-28 02:32:24