Diabetes Denial?

Hello, is anyone listening out there? You’ve heard a thousand times over that exercise and a healthy diet aren’t optional—they’re mandatory to prevent a serious health diagnosis. Yet, the numbers show that when it comes to a diabetes health diagnosis, people don’t seem to be paying attention: Almost 3 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes in the last two years. That means the United States has about 24 million diabetics.

Studies show that another 57 million people are estimated to have pre-diabetes, which is a condition that puts people at a higher risk for a diabetes health diagnosis. In addition, about 25% of people who have pre-diabetes don’t even know they have it or that they are at an increased risk for full-blown diabetes.

Granted, not all diabetes can be controlled or prevented with diet and exercise, but type 2 diabetes, the most common form, is the type that usually benefits from living healthier.

Warning signs for diabetes include:
* Frequent urination
* Excessive thirst
* Extreme hunger
* Unusual weight loss
* Increased fatigue
* Irritability
* Blurry vision

Risk factors for diabetes include:
* Having a family history of diabetes
* Being over the age of 45
* Being Asian, African-American, Hispanic or Native American
* Having metabolic syndrome
* Being overweight
* Being habitually inactive
* Having high blood pressure
* Having abnormal cholesterol levels
* Having a history of polycystic ovary disease (PCOD)
* Having a history of vascular disease

And many of these risk factors can be avoided with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

As a society, are we in mass diabetes denial or are we lacking the education to recognize the signs? [Health News]