Risks of Developing Diabetes
November 2010 was American Diabetes Month, an occasion to build awareness of this all too common disease that's actually a leading cause of death in the U.
S.
after heart disease and cancer.
The American College of Physicians is suggesting that everyone needs to be aware of the risks of developing diabetes and what they can do to help themselves.
Diabetes is believed to affect 17 million (about 8%) of the population in the United Sates alone.
There are another 12 million in the U.
S.
who have diabetes and don't even know it.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that can be controlled, though it will be with you for the rest of your life.
While type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults and is the result of the body not producing any insulin, the hormone responsible for converting sugar, starches and other foods into the energy we use every day.
In type 2 diabetes, either the body doesn't produce enough insulin, or the cells simply ignore it.
Those who don't take steps to manage their condition run the risk of some pretty significant health complications - heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, high blood pressure, nervous system damage.
The known risk factors for type 2 diabetes, by far the most common type, are: - Being overweight - A family history of the condition - Lack of physical activity - Gestational diabetes during pregnancy - High blood pressure or high cholesterol numbers - Being over 45 years old - Being African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic or Pacific Islander Naturally you can't do much about your genetics, your age or your family history, but there are other risk factors that are well within your control.
These are the ones the experts want us all to understand and take steps to address.
The typical symptoms of diabetes are sometimes mild (or even nonexistent) but are something you should watch for, especially if you have other risk factors for the disease.
Patients can have extreme thirst and/or hunger, fatigue, need to urinate often (from drinking so much), unusual weight loss, blurred vision, tingling or numbness in hands/feet, frequent infections and bruises that are slow to heal.
If you're having one or more of these symptoms, a blood test can tell you for sure.
If you're diagnosed, controlling your disease is the best way to ensure you live well and avoid the more devastating complications.
Some of the things you can do are what you'd expect...
exercise every day and start eating a healthy diet that's loaded with veggies, fruits, fish, poultry and whole grains.
Stick to these two and you'll naturally lose any extra weight, and likely be amazed at the difference in your condition.
You'll also want to monitor your blood sugar levels and keep track of them so you can work with your doctor to keep your risks of developing diabetes in check.
If you're given medication for your condition, taking it exactly as prescribed is the most important thing you can do to keep yourself healthy.
S.
after heart disease and cancer.
The American College of Physicians is suggesting that everyone needs to be aware of the risks of developing diabetes and what they can do to help themselves.
Diabetes is believed to affect 17 million (about 8%) of the population in the United Sates alone.
There are another 12 million in the U.
S.
who have diabetes and don't even know it.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that can be controlled, though it will be with you for the rest of your life.
While type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults and is the result of the body not producing any insulin, the hormone responsible for converting sugar, starches and other foods into the energy we use every day.
In type 2 diabetes, either the body doesn't produce enough insulin, or the cells simply ignore it.
Those who don't take steps to manage their condition run the risk of some pretty significant health complications - heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, high blood pressure, nervous system damage.
The known risk factors for type 2 diabetes, by far the most common type, are: - Being overweight - A family history of the condition - Lack of physical activity - Gestational diabetes during pregnancy - High blood pressure or high cholesterol numbers - Being over 45 years old - Being African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic or Pacific Islander Naturally you can't do much about your genetics, your age or your family history, but there are other risk factors that are well within your control.
These are the ones the experts want us all to understand and take steps to address.
The typical symptoms of diabetes are sometimes mild (or even nonexistent) but are something you should watch for, especially if you have other risk factors for the disease.
Patients can have extreme thirst and/or hunger, fatigue, need to urinate often (from drinking so much), unusual weight loss, blurred vision, tingling or numbness in hands/feet, frequent infections and bruises that are slow to heal.
If you're having one or more of these symptoms, a blood test can tell you for sure.
If you're diagnosed, controlling your disease is the best way to ensure you live well and avoid the more devastating complications.
Some of the things you can do are what you'd expect...
exercise every day and start eating a healthy diet that's loaded with veggies, fruits, fish, poultry and whole grains.
Stick to these two and you'll naturally lose any extra weight, and likely be amazed at the difference in your condition.
You'll also want to monitor your blood sugar levels and keep track of them so you can work with your doctor to keep your risks of developing diabetes in check.
If you're given medication for your condition, taking it exactly as prescribed is the most important thing you can do to keep yourself healthy.
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