LEARN
MORE ABOUT DIABETES
What
is diabetes?
Diabetes is
a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood sugar (blood
glucose). If untreated, it can lead to severe complications, including
death. However those with diabetes can live a long, healthy life
if they take steps to control it.
Click here
for a Diabetes tutorial
How
common is it?
- United
States - 20.8 million Americans have diabetes.
- Texas
- 940,000 or 8% of persons in Texas have diabetes
- McLennan
County - 13% of persons in McLennan County have diabetes.
The 2006 Community Assessment showed 20% of households have a
family member living with diabetes.
How
much does diabetes cost taxpayers?
- U.S -$132
billion annually
Direct medical costs ~ $92 billion.
Indirect costs ~ $40 billion
- TX~9.5
billion
Types
of Diabetes
- Type 1
- Type 2
- Gestational
Diabetes
- Pre-diabetes
How can I tell if I am at risk?
- Age:
45 years or older
- Genetics:
Family history of diabetes (parent or sibling)
- Race/ethnicity:
Being of a minority group
- Lifestyle:
Being overweight, not getting much exercise
- Health
Conditions/Health History: High blood pressure or high cholesterol,
diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes), or having a
baby weighing more than 9 lbs. at birth
What
are some of the signs and symptoms?
- Frequent
urination
- Fatigue
- Numbness
and tingling of feet
- Blurred
vision
- Always
thirsty
- Always
hungry
- Unexplained
weight loss
- Sexual
dysfunction
- Sores that
take a long time to heal
- Recurring
bladder, vaginal, and skin infections
- Irritability
- Tingling
or loss of feeling in hands or feet
- Very Dry
Skin
How
serious is Diabetes?
Diabetes was
the 6th leading cause of death in 2002. Every day there are 810
deaths from diabetes complications. If uncontrolled it can lead
to:
- Nerve Damage
(neuropathy)
- Heart
and Blood Vessel Disease
- Erectile
dysfunction
- Blindness
(retinopathy)
- Kidney
Failure (nephropathy)
- Foot ulcers
- Gum disease
- Depression
Can
I prevent Diabetes?
Research
shows that losing 5-10% of your body weight and being moderately
active 30 minutes for 5 days a week can your risk of developing
diabetes by 60%.
Order
materials
Texas Department
of State Health Services
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/diabetes/patient.shtm
BD - Patient
Education Literature
http://www.bddiabetes.com/us/hcp/main.aspx?cat=3066&id=3120
National
Diabetes Education Program
http://ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/catalog.htm
National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
http://catalog.niddk.nih.gov/
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