Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a devastating disease.
It maims the victim long before it kills the victim by causing an increased incidence of heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, peripheral vascular failure with neurological pain and/or amputation being the most commonly known consequences.
In 2010, 25 million Americans were estimated to have DM types 1 or 2 – all of whom are at increased risk for diabetes-related disease processes – even with good medical interventions – good insulin control, lifestyle changes, symptom management.
However, another group of people – 75 million Americans – are recognized as heading for membership in this DM group. These are the people with the diagnosis of pre-diabetes.
How is the pre-diabetic state recognized? These people have one of the following: an elevated level of coating on their hemoglobin (A1C) between 5.7 and 6.5, an elevated response to a sugar loading test (glucose tolerance test) of 160 to 200, or an elevated fasting blood sugar level (FPG) of 100-120 mg/d.
In addition, they almost always have a BMI (body mass index) of greater than 25 (Calculate your BMI by multiplying your weight in pounds times 702, then dividing that total by your height in inches, then dividing that total by your height in inches a second time.)
If you have a first degree relative with diabetes, are male (because males don’t check), are over 55, have high blood pressure, or are descended from certain ethnic groups (genetics and socio-economic factors), your risk of being pre-diabetic are increased.
How can you avoid joining those who are members of the DM group – who have 60% chance of losing their sight, a 10X increased risk of dying with heart disease, a 40% chance of kidney failure?
Two interventions have proven effective: 1) losing at least 7% of your body weight – if you currently weigh 200 pounds, losing at least 14 pounds and 2) increasing your exercise to at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. In many individuals, both of these interventions have proven to slow or stop the progress from the pre-diabetic state to full-blown diabetes.
If you think you might be at risk for pre-diabetes, take the Diabetes Risk Test on-line at the American Diabetes Association website. If you score above 6 (you can score 5 just be being old, being male, and having a first degree relative with diabetes), see your doctor.
Don’t play with your health; don’t expose yourself to the devastating effects of diabetes. Three-fourths of the pre-diabetics are unaware of their increased danger. Don’t be one of them.