Saint Mary’s Hospital Foundation Sponsors Diabetes Screen
(Rhinelander, WI) Today, there are 23.6 million people in the United States, or 8% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 17.9 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 5.7 million people are unaware that they have the disease. Additionally, there are 57 million Americans who have pre-diabetes, blood glucose that is higher than normal.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into the energy needed for daily life. When high levels of sugar build up in the blood, heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, nerve damage and leg and foot amputations from gangrene occur. Good control of blood sugar values can reduce the risk of complications by 50-75%.
There are two major types of diabetes. About 5-10% of Americans have type 1 diabetes that usually affects people when they are young children or adolescents, however type 1 diabetes can develop at any age. The tendency for the disease is present at birth, especially if there is a family history. In order to stay alive and control the disease, insulin-dependent individuals must take daily injections of insulin.
No one knows what eventually triggers the onset of type 1diabetes, though viral infections, such as the flu are suspect. Warning signs of type 1 diabetes include frequent urination accompanied by unusual thirst, extreme hunger, rapid weight loss with easy tiring, weakness and fatigue, irritability, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms occur suddenly. If they do, see a physician immediately.
The majority of individuals have type 2 diabetes, which usually develops after the age of 40. Recently, however, young adults and even children as young as 4 have been diagnosed with the disease at an alarming rate. A family history increases one’s risk of developing the disease, as does inactivity and being overweight. Proper nutrition and exercise are essential to controlling type 2 diabetes. Oral medication or insulin also may need to be taken.
The onset of this type of diabetes is often gradual. Many people first become aware they have the disease after they develop one of its life-threatening complications (i.e. heart disease, kidney disease or eye problems). The warning signs of type 2 diabetes may include blurred vision or any change in sight, tingling or numbness in legs, feet or fingers, frequent skin infections or itchy skin, slow healing of cuts and bruises and drowsiness as well as the symptoms mentioned for type 1 diabetes.
There is no cure for diabetes, but research has made exciting treatment progress. Self monitoring of blood glucose, pancreas and islet cell transplants, oral medications, laser therapy to prevent diabetes-caused blindness and new insight into the dietary needs of people with diabetes are just some of the recent advances that are helping many live healthier, longer lives. Studies have also shown that the risk of developing diabetes can be reduced by modest weight loss and increased activity levels.
Early identification of persons at risk for diabetes can help reduce the risk of complications and even the development of diabetes. The Saint Mary’s Hospital Foundation is sponsoring free non-fasting diabetes screens at the Third Annual Community Health and Wellness Fair on Saturday, April 25 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Saint Mary’s Hospital, 2251 North Shore Drive in Rhinelander. More than 75 Health Care professionals will be available with health and wellness information. Participants do not need to fast prior to the screen. For more information call 715-361-2874.