r resistance to insulin which results in hyperglycemia and metabolic disturbances. Diabetes symptoms include excessive thirst and hunger, frequent urination, blurred vision, weight loss, and recurrent infections; diabetes is often asymptomatic during early stages. Conditions associated with the disease include severe neurological, cardiovascular, ocular, and renal complications (ADA, 1996, pp. S4-S60).
There are different types of diabetes. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) usually presents before 30 years of age with an abrupt onset of symptoms requiring immediate medical treatment; around 10 percent of all diabetes patients have this type. Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM; type II diabetes) is found in adults 45 years or older; this type of diabetes is usually symptom free for years followed by a slow onset and progression of symptoms. Around 90 percent of all patients have NIDDM and incidence increases with age. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is found during pregnancy; it occurs in approximately three percent of all pregnancies and usually disappears after delivery. Symptoms are mild however, hyperglycemia ia associated with fetal morbidity. These women have an increased risk for developing diabetes at a later time. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) includes individuals with hyperglycemia at a lower level that those with diabetes; diabetes symptoms are absent. Many of these people will develop diabetes (ADA, pp. S4-S60).
Diabetes is estimated to effect approximately 12 million Americans, 90 percent of whom have type II or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). NIDDM is chronic and accompanied by long-term complications and comorbidity (Stolar, 1995, pp. 701-705). It is estimated that in the general population 45 years of age and older, more than 6 percent are diagnosed diabetes with an equ
...