North East Digital Village
The Health Fair
What is Diabetes
In the diseases of diabetes, the body does not produce and/or properly use insulin. A hormone, insulin converts sugar, starches and other food into energy. Although the root cause of diabetes remains uncertain, genetics and environmental factors such as diet, obesity and lack of exercise appear to be major contributors.
There are four (4) types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, Gestational diabetes and a condition referred to as Pre-diabetes.
Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar (glucose) levels and whose bodies are not able to make and use all the insulin needed for pregnancy.
Generally diagnosed in children and younger adults (also known as juvenile diabetes), a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes means the body does not produce insulin.
The most common types of diabetes, Type 2 occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or when the cells ignore the insulin that is produced.
Prior to developing Type 2 diabetes, people with higher than normal glucose levels may be diagnosed as Pre-diabetic. Such high-levels of glucose are beginning to be understood to cause some long-term damage to the body, especially the heart and circulatory system.
As our "Baby Boomer" generation ages, the need for diabetes diagnosis, treatment (and advocacy) is growing. As we ages, the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes increases. In the US, there are millions of people between the ages of 40 to 74 who have pre-diabetes, often a pre-cursor to Type 2 diabetes, and likely many more who are undiagnosed.
The organizations linked below offer information about all types of diabetes as well as advice and advocacy. Many are fighting for a cure to diabetes and others looking to the government to support diabetes treatment and research. Being listed here does not indicate a recommendation from us - rather, groups and organizations are listed for your convenience. If you have a link to a diabetes resource you'd like us to share, please drop us a line at village@nedv.net.
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Living Well with Diabetes
American Diabetes Association: (ADA)
Publishes scientific findings, provides information and other services to people with diabetes, their families, health professionals and the public. Also actively involved in advocating for scientific research and for the rights of people with diabetes.
cite: diabetes.org
Joselin Diabetes Center
Three-in-one: Research. Care. Education. 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.
cite: joslin.org
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders
Conducts and supports research on many of the most serious diseases affecting public health. The Institute supports much of the clinical research on the diseases of internal medicine and related subspecialty fields as well as many basic science disciplines.
cite: niddk.nih.gov
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of people and their families. This section of the CDC's site provides basic information on diabetes and its complications. Tips on how to be active, eat right, and prevent diabetes.
cite: cdc.gov
diabetes123
Online diabetes care - attempting to improve the quality and reduce the cost of care by increasing the understanding of, and providing traditional and innovative products and services for, the treatment of all types of diabetes.
cite: diabetes123.com
Diabetes Research Institute
Cure-focused research. Conducts a broad range of scientific programs in the rapidly evolving fields of pancreatic stem cell development, transplant immunology, molecular biology, genetic engineering and regenerative medicine, among others, to speed the most promising findings from the lab to the patient.
cite: diabetesresearch.org
DiabetesMonitor.com
Monitoring diabetes happenings everywhere in cyberspace, and providing information, education and support for people with diabetes.
cite: diabetesmonitor.com
Alberta Diabetes Foundation
Non-profit organization - team of volunteers, scientists and professionals who raise money to fund world-leading research in search of a cure for the diabetes epidemic.
cite: afdr.ab.ca
International Diabetes Federation
Global advocate for people with diabetes and their healthcare providers. Working together with member associations to enhance the lives of people with diabetes worldwide. Mission is to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide. IDF is a non-governmental organization in official relations with the World Health Organization.
cite: idf.org
American Association of Diabetes Educators
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.
cite: aadenet.org
National Diabetes Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program: (NGSP)
The purpose of the NGSP is to standardize glycated hemoglobin test results so that clinical laboratory results are comparable to those reported in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) where relationships to mean blood glucose and risk for vascular complications have been established. A key component of the program is the Reference Laboratory Network. The network interacts with manufacturers of GHB methods to assist them first in standardizing their methods and then in providing comparison data for certification of traceability to the DCCT.
cite: missouri.edu
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This web site is intended for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical practice or the provision of medical services. Always consult your physician or healthcare professional with any medical question. There are links to other diabetes sites, but these links do not imply endorsement of any material on or recommendation of those sites. Neither Bizgro, Inc, NED.NET nor anyone connected with this site is responsible for any material contained on web sites linked here.
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