Diabetes: Are you aware of the symptoms, and are you at risk for developing it?

Could you have diabetes and not know it? Could you be at risk for developing diabetes? The American Diabetes Association estimates that there are more than 6 million people in the United States that have diabetes and don’t know it, and, if trends continue, 1 in 3 people in the United States will develop diabetes in their lifetime. Already, 20.8 million people live with diabetes and try to minimize the long term effects of this disease that include a higher rate of death due to heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and limb amputation.

Why are so many people walking around with a disease and not know it? Often it is because they do not know the symptoms of the disease. They include being thirsty, the need to urinate often and weight loss without trying. A visit to a doctor’s office and simple blood test can determine if diabetes is the cause for these symptoms. The blood test will determine the amount of the glucose in the blood.

People at risk for developing diabetes are on the increase also, due in part to the number of people who are overweight and obese. If you are an African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander your risk is even greater. A fatalistic attitude about the diabetes affects a person’s decision to be proactive in making lifestyle changes that could delay its onset, or completely reduce the risk of developing the disease. Just because a relative had the disease doesn’t mean that you will develop it. Although genetic factors influence a person’s susceptibility to develop the disease, studies show that simple lifestyle changes can delay its onset or completely reduce the risk for developing the disease.

Know your Body Mass Index to determine if you are overweight or obese. BMI charts can be found online or on a visit to your health care professional’s office ask if they will figure out your BMI.

Measure your waist circumference. Studies show that women of a weight circumference of greater than 35 inches, and men with a waist circumference of 40 or greater are at increased risk for developing diabetes.

Small lifestyle changes can have a big effect. Exchanging your regular soft drink for water at lunch can help you lose 10 pounds in a year. Making small changes in physical activity, – from taking the stairs, to taking a 10 minute walk 3 times a day will help you. Physical activity helps to reduce abdominal fat, reduces inflammation and improves insulin sensitivity. The Diabetes Prevention Program (http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/preventionprogram/) recommends that individuals at risk for the disease do the following:

* Have a greater than or equal to 7 percent loss of body weight and maintenance of the weight loss
* Have a dietary fat goal of less than 25 percent of calories from fat
* Have a calorie intake goal of 1200-1800 kcal/day
* Have greater than or equal to 150 minutes per week of physical activity.

Visit the American Diabetes Association web page to take the Risk Quiz and find out more information about this potentially disability disease,
(http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp).

If you have diabetes and want your voice to be heard regarding various issues related to the prevention and treatment initiatives at the state level, consider attending the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Day at the Statehouse Tuesday, March 25 in Montgomery. Beginning at 11 a.m., the day’s events include advocacy training, lunch and an opportunity to meet with your legislators and advocate for issues important to diabetics and their families. Visit the ADA Web site at http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i=OwzTOuxiHrMJ2fNZuSgRaw to register to attend. If you don’t have internet access, call the American Diabetes Association Call Center at 888-DIABETES to get connected with the local organization. You also can request their free “Living with Diabetes” DVD.

Source: Donna R. Shanklin, REA-Health

Posted by dreynold at March 12, 2008 03:08 PM | TrackBack