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The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) have determined that diabetes is increasing throughout the world, with nearly 24 million people in the
United States battling the disease. 

Diabetes is incurable.  It is possible – if an individual is careful with diet, medication and exercise – that the progression diabetes can be slowed down, especially the earlier it is caught.  However, if the right measures are not taken, the progression of diabetes often leads to damaged blood vessels, heart disease, kidney disease and/or kidney failure, blindness and amputations.

About 90% of the people with diabetes have Type 2 Diabetes which can be controlled by medication, good diet and exercise.  Sadly, though too many people do not recognize the symptoms of diabetes so they are not taking care of the disease appropriately. 

It is essential that every adult knows the risk factors for and the symptoms of diabetes.  Some of the main risk factors for type 2 diabetes are obesity, age, race or ethnicity, family history and lack of physical activity. 

It is important to be aware of these factors, and if you are diagnosed with diabetes there is no substitute for taking care of yourself.  It is very easy for an individual with diabetes to deteriorate rapidly if they do not take care of themselves well. 

Medical professionals say that people who are diagnosed with diabetes need to take care of themselves for heart disease, too, since most people who are diagnosed with diabetes will end up with heart disease, as well, and if they are not taking care of themselves their condition will advance much more quickly and could be much more devastating. 

Doctors and health educators are saying that the rate at which diabetes is increasing at such an alarming rate that it has become a crisis.     

Pre-Diabetes is a condition that is just what it sounds like.  It is a situation where an individual’s blood glucose level is higher than it should be, but not high enough to actually be Diabetes.  If a person has Pre-Diabetes it is likely that they will develop full-blown Diabetes within the next 10 years from the time they begin Pre-Diabetes symptoms.

There are, however, measures that can be taken to deal with Pre-Diabetes to delay or prevent Type 2 Diabetes.  These measures can also help decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke – both of which are at increased risk with Type 2 Diabetes.

One important measure an individual can take if they have Pre-Diabetes is to control their weight and engage in moderate physical activity.  Increased weight – especially with lack of physical activity – makes the body work harder, creating a situation where blood glucose levels increase, insulin levels become abnormal and your risk for heart issues, high blood pressure, possible stroke or heart attack and other health problems increases dramatically.

If you are not sure whether you have diabetes or Pre-Diabetes, but you are having symptoms such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, sudden weight gain or loss, sores – especially on the feet – that don’t heal quickly, and extreme fatigue, check with your doctor.  Your doctor will then perform tests to see if you have Pre-Diabetes or Diabetes.  These tests include a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test, in which your blood glucose is measured after you have gone at least 8 hours without eating anything.  Another diagnostic test is an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test which measures your blood glucose after you have gone at least 8 hours without eating and 2 hours after you have had a glucose based beverage.  The other test that can be done is a Random Plasma Glucose Test, which is a blood test that is taken by your doctor (or the lab) without regard to when you ate or drank anything last, just to determine along with your other symptoms if you have Diabetes – but not to determine if you have Pre-Diabetes.

It is important that you be aware of any symptoms that you might have and check with your doctor regarding Pre-Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes.  With proper diet, exercise, care and treatment, you can lower your health risks and strengthen your life.

For Diabetes information contact the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-342-2383 or find them on the web at www.diabetes.org.