More than 30 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, and 7 million of them don’t know it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Diabetes is serious business. It can lead to heart disease; stroke; kidney failure; vision loss; amputation of toes, feet or legs; and premature death. The good news is that you can often manage diabetes with physical activity, diet, insulin and other medications. Marjorie Lang, diabetes education services manager at Lake Health, knows how important it is to see if you’re at risk.
Could you be one of the 7 million Americans who has diabetes and doesn’t know it? Take this quick quiz to find out if you’re at risk.
Ask yourself:
Are you over age 45?
___ Yes
___ No
Type 2 diabetes risk increases after age 45.
Are you overweight or do you have high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol?
___ Yes
___ No
These conditions increase your risk for type 2 diabetes. In fact, excess weight is the most important risk factor.
Do you have extreme thirst and/or excessive urination?
___ Yes
___ No
Your body might be trying to rid itself of excess sugar in the bloodstream through the intake of fluids and resulting urination.
Are you always hungry and tired?
___ Yes
___ No
Without insulin, or with insulin resistance, cells can’t get energy from glucose. You might feel as if you can’t get enough to eat and be tired because glucose isn’t fueling your cells.
Do you have cuts, bruises or injuries that are slow to heal?
___ Yes
___ No
High blood sugar can affect blood flow and cause nerve damage that makes it hard for injuries to heal.
Do you have tingling or pain in your hands or feet?
___ Yes
___ No
Diabetic nerve damage can cause this.
Do you have a dry mouth or itchy skin?
___ Yes
___ No
Excessive urination can cause you to lose moisture, leading to these symptoms.
Do you have blurred vision?
___ Yes
___ No
As body fluid levels change, your eyes can swell, change shape and lose the ability to focus.
Add up your score
How many “Yes” answers did you have?
Take action
If you answered “Yes” to one or more questions, make an appointment with your doctor to talk about your symptom(s) and get a simple test to check your blood sugar levels.
Don’t delay. The sooner you are diagnosed, the better you can control your diabetes. Lake Health Diabetes Education Center can help you manage your diabetes with education options and support close to home.
