Page 26 - Diabetic Clarity
P. 26

Diabetic Clarity


               symptoms in the disease’s early stages.  With untreated (undiagnosed)
               diabetes, these complications can get some traction because of AGE.
               And, statistics demonstrate that more than five million people have
               diabetes but do not even know it.

               The general consensus about diabetic complications is given time, and
               uncontrolled diabetes will lead to complications. The longer the
               diabetic does not know or take care of themselves, the higher the
               chances for complications to ensue.  How well a person controls their
               sugar level will dictate their complication risk.

               When the body is constantly hit by highs and lows of sugar, it puts
               pressure on the cells, nerves, veins, arteries and capillaries. This will
               lead to complications.

               However, by maintaining constant control over blood sugar levels and
               staying active physically, you lower the chance of diabetes-related
               complications.

               Diabetes Risk Factors

               A person considered to be pre-diabetic can go into full-blown diabetes
               if they have any of the following factors:


                   •      Overweight/obese
                   •      Family history of diabetes
                   •      Lack of exercise
                   •      History of gestational diabetes
                   •      Ethnicity

               People 45 and older with any of the above risk factors need to be
               screened annually – your yearly medical exam. According to statistics,
               these individuals make up most of the diabetes diagnosed cases every
               year.

               Doctors will use two tests to diagnose a person with diabetes:

                   •      Fasting plasma glucose test
                   •      Oral glucose tolerance test




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