Diabetes is a chronic disease. It is caused by a decrease in insulin production or insulin sensitivity or both. The cells in your body need glucose for fuel. Your pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that enables your cells to absorb the glucose. If the right amount of insulin is not present, or if the receptors on the cells don't work, the glucose can't get in the cells and remains in your blood causing high blood glucose, also called hyperglycemia.

Hyperglycemia is dangerous and can damage your body.

There are different types of diabetes. Two of the main types are listed below.

• Type 1 - Auto-immune disease causing destruction of insulin producing cells
• Type 2 - Decreased insulin sensitivity or decreased insulin production or both

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recently released shocking data that Type 2 diabetes has increased 70% in the past 8 years among people in their 30s.

Experts feel this may be a result of the obesity problem in the US, bad eating habits and lack of exercise.

Diabetes is a serious chronic disease. It can not be cured, but it can be controlled. Diabetes is much more common than most people think. For instance, if all the people in Baltimore with diabetes went to Camden Yards, the stadium would be full and 12,000 people would still be the parking lot.

Diabetes is often silent taking a toll on your body for years before it is detected. Most people with Type 2 diabetes have it for 3 to 7 years before it is ever diagnosed. All that time it is causing damage to organs and systems that is unrecognized.

It can be a costly problem for you, your family and healthcare institutions.

Finally, diabetes is deadly especially in Maryland where we rank 4th of all 50 states in adjusted death rate from the disease. Diabetes accounts for 14 % of all the medical expenses in the US each year.

The Good News Is

Although there is no cure, diabetes is treatable and able to be controlled. At The Diabetes Center at Mercy, we specialize in personal, team-oriented treatment plans that focus on helping you and your family manage your diabetes.

Research has shown that diabetes complications can be prevented by up to 76%. Working with your highly motivated Mercy Diabetes Team, you can have the benefits of :

• Near normal blood glucose levels
• Blood pressure and lipid control
• Education in self management skills
• Frequent screening for complications
• Access to the most cutting-edge technology and new treatments

We believe that through teamwork, education and commitment to community awareness we can significantly reduce the burden of diabetes in your life.