Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Left undetected and untreated, diabetes can do irreversible damage to your eyes, …
Are appearances deceiving you?
The truth about undetected diabetes
Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States Yet
close to a third of the 17 million adults affected by the disease may not
know they have it Many people first learn they have diabetes through blood
tests for other conditions or during routine physical exams Left
undetected and untreated, diabetes can do irreversible damage to your eyes,
kidneys and other major organs Thats why its important to follow the
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Wellness Guidelines if you are at risk
by having a fasting blood glucose test at age 45, then every three years
after that
There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2 Type 1 diabetes, also
known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus IDDM, usually develops
before age 30 Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and
usually occurs after age 40 and in overweight people Each type has several
symptoms, but symptoms common to both types include excessive thirst and
frequent urination Physicians dont usually screen for diabetes during
routine visits, so you should make your physician aware of any symptoms or
risk factors you may
have
[subhead] Defending against diabetes
You may need medication to control your blood sugar level But even with
medication, the right diet and regular exercise are vital to managing
diabetes Unfortunately, there is no cure for the disease, but there are
steps you can take to help prevent it, or gain tighter control of your
blood sugar levels if you have diabetes Some preventive or self management
steps include:
Eating right
Maintaining a healthy weight
Getting plenty of exercise
Knowing your risk factors
By practicing a healthy lifestyle and having your blood sugar tested on a
regular basis, you can protect your health against diabetes
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas 2004 Wellness Guidelines @bcbstxcom
Check your benefits booklet to determine if your health plan coverage pays
for this type of screening
A Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve
Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Association
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Source:k12.wa.us
