Are You at Risk for Diabetes? at Aging and Disease

Are You at Risk for Diabetes?

Published May 26th, 2008 in Diabetes.

Tip! Your chance of developing diabetes is higher if you have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling with diabetes.

Diabetes currently affects 7% of the United States population, or 20.8 million Americans, and more than half are women. Diabetes is the 6th leading cause of death today, and a large percentage of diabetics don’t even know that they have the disease.

Tip! The Mind/Body Diabetes Revolution, Richard S. Surwit, Ph.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a very important hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy-the energy we need for daily life. Although the cause of diabetes is unknown, certain genetic and environmental factors do seem to increase the likelihood of the disease. These include obesity and lack of exercise.

Tip! For reasons not yet clear, Blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians have high rates of diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease that develops over time, and your health care provider can help you find out whether you are likely to become a diabetic. The Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) is used to tell if someone has pre-diabetes or diabetes. If she returns a blood glucose level above a certain amount she has the disease.

The major types of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and pre-diabetes. Type 1 diabetes results when the body fails to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes results when the body fails to properly use insulin. Most American diabetics have Type 2 diabetes. Pregnant women who have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy have gestational diabetes. Those with pre-diabetes have higher than normal blood sugar levels, but not to the point where they reach the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

Tip! The option of the individual to have medication and seek the help of a doctor. Every diabetes patients that have type1 and type 2 diabetes can take insulin daily to sustain the insulin production of the pancreas.

Common symptoms of diabetes include: frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, extreme hunger, sudden vision changes, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, exhaustion much of the time, very dry skin, sores that are slow to heal and more infections than usual. Diabetics may have some of these symptoms or none at all.

If you have any questions about whether you might have diabetes or be at risk to get it be sure to consult you health care provider.

Tip! Avoid intake of excess salt, which increases blood pressure and aggravates the problems of diabetes.

Of the many types of Diabetes, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational
diabetes and pre-diabetes are the most common.
Diabetes currently affects 7% of the United States population, or 20.8 million
Americans, and more than half are women.
Are you at risk?

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