Diabetes: What's your risk and how to prevent it
10:45 a.m. Thursday, October 11, 2007
Risk Factors
- Overweight
- Over the age of 45
- Impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance
- Had a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds
- African-Americans
- Asians
- Hispanics
- Native Americans
- Heredity
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in Kansas. Almost 50 percent of the population of Kansas is at increased risk of developing diabetes.
For some diabetes sufferers, the diagnosis means insulin injections for the rest of their lives.
Diabetes affects blood sugar levels, which can then affect major organs, said Mary Alice Scheer of the St. Francis Diabetes Center, including the heart, kidneys and even eyes. High blood sugar, along with high blood pressure, can decrease the blood flow enough that amputation may be required.
"And so with good blood pressure control, good blood sugar control, we can prevent amputations," Scheer said.
Diabetes is inherited. So, people whose mothers or fathers or grandparents have diabetes should keep their blood sugar in check, she said. People of Asian, African-American, Native American or Hispanic decent are also at greater risk.
You may have diabetes if you have irritability, fatigue, weight loss, sores or cuts that don't heal, frequent urination and excess thirst.
High consumption of sugar and carbohydrates can increase your risk for diabetes. So, make sure to check the ingredients for whole grain and avoid white refined and highly processed grains, like white bread and pastas.
Diabetes Facts
Diabetes is a group of diseases that affect blood sugar levels. There are three types of diabetes, Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational diabetes. Learn more about the types of diabetes at the Centers for Disease Control's Diabetes page.
To prevent Type 2 diabetes and to lower your risk of developing diabetes later in life, Scheer recommends regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight and make sure if to get your blood sugar checked regularly if you are over 45 years old or have a strong family history of developing diabetes.
After diagnosis, again regular exercise and a healthy diet is recommended.
St. Francis Diabetes Center offerings
St. Francis Health Center offers educational classes for those with diabetes and those wanting to learn more about the disease. All About Diabetes is a support group for people with diabetes and their families. They are held the first Tuesday of the month, 7 to 8 p.m., St. Francis Diabetes Center, 6730 SW 29th St. Second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, 1 to 2 p.m, St. Francis Health Center, NewLife Center Classroom 1 on the second floor. If you have questions call the Diabetes Center at (785) 273-2731.
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