By James K. Robinson
It is stated so simply, in terms so matter of fact -- as it should be, but if you understand what it means in human terms for those affected, you realize immediately how shocking are the cold facts revealed in the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet.
The 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, released in January of this year by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and other associated national health authorities, states that there are an estimated 26 million children and adults in the United States who have diabetes. And an even greater number, 79 million Americans who have prediabetes. The fortunate aspect, if there can be anything fortunate about an illness of any sort, is that prediabetes can be reversed and prevented from developing into diabetes, the related disease characterized by higher than normal levels of blood sugars in the body.
Without going into many of the grim statistics given in the Fact Sheet that details the poor state of health and physical condition of millions of Americans -- anyone who is interested can search themselves for Fact Sheet data on the internet -- it is worth pointing out that any individual, by modifying their lifestyle, can avoid the dire consequences that can follow diabetes.
Who are the prime candidates to become diabetic or prediabetic?
Any person who is overweight, over forty years of age and physically out of shape, faces the possibility of already having, or soon developing, the disease condition known as prediabetes, which, as its name implies, is a precursor of the really serious disease called diabetes.
Both diabetes and prediabetes are defined by blood sugar problems in the sense that higher than normal levels of the sugar called glucose is circulating in the bloodstream, primarily the result of the types of food being consumed and the lack of exercise in the life of the potential prediabetic. While the condition can be reversed, if it is not, and a person becomes diagnosed as being diabetic, it is then not curable, it's a condition for the rest of life that comes with many restrictions and a diminished quality of life -- and more alarming, if not properly treated and the above normal blood sugars brought under control, diabetes can lead to other serious health complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, nerve and blood circulation problems, eye disease, even blindness. The sugar in the blood is essential for life's cellular activities but too much sugar in the blood is harmful to the heart and other organs and tissues of the body.
Heart disease is the major cause of death among the diabetic population of North America and even though a person with prediabetes may not yet have progressed to diabetes, they are high risk for the possibility of developing those serious ailments. The American Diabetes Association reports that recent research reveals that some long-term damage to the body, especially the heart and circulatory system, may already be occurring during prediabetes.
Considering the serious consequences for both of the health conditions described above, and because, as we have also mentioned, the overweight, out of shape, and over forty year old individual is the prime candidate to develop the diseases, it is in the self interest of everyone who fits that category to see a doctor. A simple blood test that can be requisitioned by a doctor will tell the story. Time to see a doctor?
It is stated so simply, in terms so matter of fact -- as it should be, but if you understand what it means in human terms for those affected, you realize immediately how shocking are the cold facts revealed in the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet.
The 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, released in January of this year by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and other associated national health authorities, states that there are an estimated 26 million children and adults in the United States who have diabetes. And an even greater number, 79 million Americans who have prediabetes. The fortunate aspect, if there can be anything fortunate about an illness of any sort, is that prediabetes can be reversed and prevented from developing into diabetes, the related disease characterized by higher than normal levels of blood sugars in the body.
Without going into many of the grim statistics given in the Fact Sheet that details the poor state of health and physical condition of millions of Americans -- anyone who is interested can search themselves for Fact Sheet data on the internet -- it is worth pointing out that any individual, by modifying their lifestyle, can avoid the dire consequences that can follow diabetes.
Who are the prime candidates to become diabetic or prediabetic?
Any person who is overweight, over forty years of age and physically out of shape, faces the possibility of already having, or soon developing, the disease condition known as prediabetes, which, as its name implies, is a precursor of the really serious disease called diabetes.
Both diabetes and prediabetes are defined by blood sugar problems in the sense that higher than normal levels of the sugar called glucose is circulating in the bloodstream, primarily the result of the types of food being consumed and the lack of exercise in the life of the potential prediabetic. While the condition can be reversed, if it is not, and a person becomes diagnosed as being diabetic, it is then not curable, it's a condition for the rest of life that comes with many restrictions and a diminished quality of life -- and more alarming, if not properly treated and the above normal blood sugars brought under control, diabetes can lead to other serious health complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, nerve and blood circulation problems, eye disease, even blindness. The sugar in the blood is essential for life's cellular activities but too much sugar in the blood is harmful to the heart and other organs and tissues of the body.
Heart disease is the major cause of death among the diabetic population of North America and even though a person with prediabetes may not yet have progressed to diabetes, they are high risk for the possibility of developing those serious ailments. The American Diabetes Association reports that recent research reveals that some long-term damage to the body, especially the heart and circulatory system, may already be occurring during prediabetes.
Considering the serious consequences for both of the health conditions described above, and because, as we have also mentioned, the overweight, out of shape, and over forty year old individual is the prime candidate to develop the diseases, it is in the self interest of everyone who fits that category to see a doctor. A simple blood test that can be requisitioned by a doctor will tell the story. Time to see a doctor?
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