Statistics: 

Nearly 6 million people in the United States have type 2 diabetes and do not even know it.

Diabetes is now the 6th leading cause of death in Minnesota

It also costs Minnesota $2 billion dollars per year in medical costs, lost productivity and premature death.

Studies show that overweight and obesity have increased 80% in the last decade among adult Minnesotans without diabetes. With modest weight loss and moderate physical activity you can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.

 
Complications: 

Vision Loss & Blindness (Diabetic Eye Disease or Diabetic Retinopathy which may include cataracts and glaucoma)

Heart Disease

High Blood Pressure

Nerve damage especially the Feet and Legs

Kidney Disease

Dental Disease


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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HOT TOPIC:   

 Type 2 Diabetes: 
A Growing Epidemic  

Pre-Diabetes

Pre-diabetes is when you are at risk for getting type 2 diabetes and heart disease. With a pre-diabetes condition, you usually have any three of the following factors: abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, blood pressure greater that 130/85, fasting glucose greater than 110. 

Diabetes: 

Diabetes is a disease that affects the way your body uses food (glucose for energy).  

Some of the signs or symptoms of type 2 diabetes are increased thirst, increased hunger, fatigue, increased urination, weight loss/gain, blurred vision, sores that won’t heal, dry itchy skin, or numbness in hands, legs, or feet. Many people have no signs or symptoms. Symptoms can also be so mild that you might not even notice them. 

Should I worry? 
The Minnesota Department of Health states that nearly 500,000 or 1 in 10 people in Minnesota either have diabetes or are at high risk of developing the disease. Type 2 diabetes, formerly called adult-onset diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. People can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. This form of diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which fat, muscle and liver cells do not use insulin properly. 

Risk Factors (Trends) Leading to Diabetes: 

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include: being overweight, getting little or no physical activity each day, being older than 45 (especially over 65), having a family member with diabetes, having diabetes while pregnant, your family background is African American, American Indian, Asian American, or Hispanic American/Latino, above normal cholesterol levels, or if you have high blood pressure. 

It is recommended that anyone 45 years or older should consider getting tested for diabetes. If you are younger than 45, overweight and have one or more risk factors, you should consider being tested. 

   


Three Keys to Prevention: 

They are Powerful, Proven and Possible. 

 Healthy eating:

Take a hard look at the serving sizes of the foods you eat.

Limit your fat intake to about 25% of your total calories.

Regular physical activity:

Be physically active every day ( Adult should be active 30 minutes almost everyday and kids should be active 60 minutes almost everyday).

Try to reach and maintain a reasonable body weight.

Stress management:

Learn to say no

Find some time for yourself to “de stress”

Change your attitude

Set goals

 
All this in turn helps you lose weight, keeps your cholesterol and blood pressure under control and helps your body use insulin. Speak with your doctor, dietitian or counselor for help in making a plan of action. Work on changing behavior and find family and friends who will support and encourage you. If you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, you can delay it from occurring or even prevent it from happen in the first place.