VETERANS AND DIABETES. Diabetes is a national problem, nearly 16 million Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or when cells do …
VETERANS AND DIABETES
Diabetes is a national problem, nearly 16 million Americans, or 6 of the
US population, have diabetes Diabetes occurs when the body does not
produce enough insulin or when cells do not use insulin properly
PREVALENCE OF DIABETES II IN VETERANS
The rate of diabetes among VA patients -16 plus is MUCH higher then the
general popularionNearly all veterans with diabetes are men, 24 are
woman The largest group is over 65 years of age Many people with type II
diabetes have few or no symptoms If symptoms occur, they may develop over
a period of time and may include
Increased hunger and thirst
Frequent urination
Fatigue
Blurred vision
Dry, itchy, skin
Unexplained weight loss
POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES
Blindness or vision impairment
Amputations
Heart Disease including hardening of the arteries
Stroke
Nerve damage such as in the feet causing loss of feeling and damage
leading to amputation
Kidney failure
Premature death
TYPES OF DIABETES
Type 1 previously called insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or
juvenile onset diabetes in
which the body does not make insulin
Type II previously called non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or
adult onset diabetes in which the body does not react to insulin
normally Type II accounts for 90-95 percent of all diabetes cases
RISK FACTORS
Vietnam veterans exposed Agent Orange
Age most often adults over 45 years old
Over weight 80 of people with diabetes are overweight
High blood pressure
Not physically active
Have family history of diabetes
African American , Hispanic American, American Indians, Asian
Americans or Pacific Islanders
COMPENSATION
On July 8 2001 the VA began presumptively service connecting veterans who
were exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam or in inland water ways In some
cases veterans who served in some units on the DMZ in Korea during the
Vietnam War
WHEN FILEING FOR COMPENSATION REMEMBER TO INCLUDE ANY SECONDARY CONDITIONS
THAT MAY BE RELATED TO DIABETES AND RESTRICTIONS TO DIET AND ACTIVITY
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL
THE HEATHER FRENCH FOUNDATION FOR VETERANS
KEN MOORE VSO
NATIONAL
SERVICE OFFICER
1-866-746-1684
Source:diabetescamps.org
