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Medicine in the Mountains: Millions of Americans have diabetes and don't know it

March 16, 2011 3:00 PM

PIKEVILLE, KY

In observance of Diabetes Alert Day on March 22, the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) and Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine (PCSOM) are encouraging people to take NDEP’s Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The test can be found by logging on to http://ndep.nih.gov/resources/ResourceDetail.aspx?ResId=252.

Nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes – including 349,000 people in Kentucky. It is estimated that nearly one-third of the people with diabetes do not know that they have the disease. An estimated 79 million adults may have pre-diabetes, placing them at increased risk for developing the disease.

“Diabetes is a serious disease, particularly when it is left undiagnosed or untreated,” said William Betz, D.O., the senior associate dean for osteopathic medical education at PCSOM. “Everyone should be aware of their risk for diabetes. If you have a family history of diabetes – such as a mother, father, brother or sister with type 2 diabetes – or if you had diabetes during pregnancy – you need to know that you are at increased risk.

Other risk factors for diabetes include being overweight, physically inactive and being over the age of 45. Diabetes also is more common in African Americans, people of African Ancestry, Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders.

If left undiagnosed or untreated, diabetes can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and even death. With early diagnosis and treatment, people with diabetes can delay or prevent the development of these health problems.

“If you are at risk for diabetes, the good news is that you can take action now to lower your risk for developing type 2 diabetes by making and maintaining healthy lifestyle changes,” said Betz.

Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by losing a small amount of weight – 5 to 7 percent (10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person) – and becoming more active. Action steps include making healthy food choices and being active at least 30 minutes, five days per week. One way to help people achieve their health goal is to write down everything they eat and drink and the number of minutes they are active each day. They should review their notes daily.

To learn more about your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, check out NDEP’s Diabetes Risk Test. Additional diabetes resources can be found on the NDEP website, www.YourDiabetesInfo.org. Also visit the website to learn how to order materials, such as: Your GAME PLAN to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes, the It’s Never Too Early to Prevent Diabetes tip sheet, and Lower Your Risk for Type 2 Diabetes tip sheet for children at risk for diabetes.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) is jointly sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with the support of more than 200 partner organizations. “It’s Small Steps. Big Rewards Prevent Type 2 Diabetes.” campaign communicates that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed through modest lifestyle changes.

William Betz, D.O., M.B.A., FACOFP, is the senior associate dean for osteopathic medical education at the Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine.

-PC-