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January Newsletter 2010
Don't Become a Victim of the Growing Diabetes Epidemic
by Jenny RoseType II Diabetes has become America’s fastest growing disease, and nearly 25% of American diabetics, or 12.2 million people, are over 60 years old (according to the 2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet). An article in the December issue of the Diabetes Care journal predicts that the number of people with diabetes will effectively double over the next 25 years. So what does this mean for the Baby Boomer generation and generations to follow? A focus on Type II diabetes prevention!
So What is Type II Diabetes?
Type II occurs when either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal or the body’s cells simply ignore the insulin. Type II diabetics can control their diabetes in a variety of ways, from diet and exercise to medication to insulin injections.
The Risk Factors
Type II diabetes continues to become more and more common due to several factors including an increase in obesity rates in the U.S. and genetic factors. Other risk factors for contracting Type II include heart disease, high cholesterol, having a parent or sibling with diabetes, and being over the age of 45. Because of these possible risk factors, it is recommended that people over 45 have their blood sugar checked every 3 years. One should also watch out for symptoms of high blood glucose levels such as blurry vision, excessive thirst, fatigue, frequent urination, increased appetite, and weight loss.
Pre-diabetes & Preventing Type II Diabetes
In addition to the increasing number of people contracting Type II diabetes are the increased number of people with pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes occurs when a patient has blood glucose levels that are elevated, but not quite high enough to be classified as diabetes. At this stage, pre-diabetics have a high risk of developing Type II diabetes. This condition can be reversed, however, through diet and exercise.
Therefore, it is crucial for pre-diabetics to control their weight in order to delay or even stop the progression to full-blown diabetes.
Diet & Exercise is the Best Medicine
Pre-diabetics and those who already have Type II diabetes can minimize or even avoid medications through regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, and monitoring their blood glucose levels. A diet high in sugar can trigger Type II in someone with pre-diabetes, while a balanced diet high in protein and fiber, with lots of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, will help that person maintain a healthy weight and hopefully avoid or delay the onset of Type II diabetes. Regular exercise has proven to help your body respond to insulin and lower your blood glucose. Additionally, if you are concerned about rising blood glucose levels, you may want to consider getting a home glucose meter to test your own blood sugar. This may help you determine a diet, exercise routine, and supplements that could help lower and stabilize your blood glucose. For more information on diabetes testing supplies, visit www.DiabetesSupplyExpress.com, and to learn more about possible complications, preventions, and screenings, visit the American Diabetes Association website.
Read the other January Newsletter articles:
