My father died of diabetes when I was 13, so this month has a special meaning to me...Read on:
November is National Diabetes Awareness MonthAre you, or someone you love, at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes?
Is it possible to have diabetes and not know it?
Some people with type 2 diabetes have obvious symptoms but many do not. It could be 7 to 10 years before they are diagnosed.
The American Diabetes Association estimates that nearly one-third of all people with diabetes (over 6 million) don't even know they have it.
What risk factors are associated with Type 2 diabetes?
- Having a family member with diabetes
- Being of Alaska Native, American Indian, African American, Hispanic/Latino American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander descent
- Having had gestational diabetes, or given birth to at least one baby weighing more than 9 pounds
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome, also known as PCOS
- Blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or higher, or a diagnosis of hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Having HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) below 35 mg/dL, or triglyceride levels above 250 mg/dL
- Sedentary lifestyle
- History of cardiovascular disease
- Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG)
Sources:"National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) (http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/riskfortype2/#6")."