If you are age 45 and older, are overweight, have high blood pressure or a family history of diabetes, the American Diabetes Association may be looking for you.
March 26 is the Association’s “Alert” to locate the millions of Americans with undiagnosed diabetes. This outreach program seeks to identify at-risk individuals who might have diabetes.
According to 2001 data from the American Diabetes Association, 264,134 people in Louisiana have diabetes. Of this number, 174, 328 have been diagnosed and 89,806 are undiagnosed. Could you be one of the many who are unaware they have the disease?
Diabetes is the leading cause of adult blindness, end-stage renal disease and nontraumatic amputation. It also increases the risk for heart disease by as much as four times. The annual cost of diabetes in Louisiana is more than $2.2 billion each year. Many people don’t even know they have diabetes until they have already developed one of its life-threatening complications such as blindness, kidney disease, nerve disease and amputations, heart disease and stroke and high blood pressure.
Understanding risk factors and warning signs and having blood glucose screenings are keys to catching this disease in its early stage.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. This hormone is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Both genetics and environmental factors seem to play a role in the development of diabetes.
There are two major types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body does not produce insulin. This occurs most often in children and young adults.
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder resulting from the body’s inability to make enough, or properly use, insulin. It is the most common form of the disease and accounts for 90 percent to 95 percent of diabetes.
The warning signs of diabetes are frequent urination, unusual thirst and unusual weight loss. Type 2 diabetes also includes blurred vision and recurring skin, gum, yeast or bladder infections.