The American Diabetes Association wants people to find out if they are at risk for diabetes. An annual date has been set so people will take time in their schedules to find out. On the fourth Tuesday in March (which this year was March 27) people are encouraged to take the Diabetes Risk Test to see if they are at risk for Type 2 diabetes.
You can, however, take the risk test anytime by going online or downloading a paper version of the test from the American Diabetes Association website, www.diabetes.org.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t make enough insulin or the body becomes unable to utilize the insulin it makes. Insulin is important because it is essentially the key that unlocks cells to allow the glucose or sugar to go inside. If the glucose cannot get inside the cell, it builds up in the blood and can cause damage.
Anyone who is over the age of 45, under active and overweight should consider themselves at risk for diabetes. You may also be at risk if you have high triglycerides, high cholesterol, you have an immediate family member with diabetes, you had gestational diabetes or you delivered a baby that weighed more than nine pounds.
Some symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, blurred vision, excessive thirst, fatigue or an increased appetite. But do not wait until you have one of these symptoms to see a doctor. It is estimated that there are almost six million people in the United States who have diabetes and don’t know it. That is because people with Type 2 diabetes often don’t experience any of these symptoms.
Unfortunately, diabetes is often not diagnosed until a person develops one of the serious complications from it which includes heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye damage or nerve damage.
The good news about Type 2 diabetes is that it is very controllable. Once you are diagnosed you can learn about what you need to do to make sure blood sugar levels stay within an acceptable range.
You can do that through medications, proper nutrition and exercise.
An early diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes can make a big difference in your health. Take the risk test to see if it’s time to follow up with your doctor.
For more information call your local county extension office at 453-6803.
• Jennifer Russell is an area child and family development agent for the Mississippi State University Extension Service. You may contact her at 453-6803 or jtb20@ext.msstate.edu.
