Articles

Diabetes- You and America

In case you didn't know, the month of November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Nearly 18 million Americans have diabetes. Just so you know, there are two kinds of diabetes. Type I diabetes is the inability to produce insulin and it occurs early in life (aka- adolescent diabetes). Though there are theories, its occurrence is not exactly known, however, unlike the Type II diabetes it is completely unpreventable at this time and is of no fault of those who develop it.

The Statistics
So, the focus of this article is Type II diabetes (aka-adult onset diabetes), as it can be prevented and if developed, significantly improved. Type II diabetes is where the body has developed an inability to use insulin, though it is being produced. Approximately, 90-95% of all cases of diabetics have Type II diabetes. Nearly 200,000 deaths a year are related to diabetes. More staggering is that it is believed that there are 5.2 million people in America who have it, but don't know it.

Since 1991, diabetes has increased 61%. It is predicted that by 2050 it will double. One in five adults over the age of 65 have it. Worse of all, Type II diabetes, a disease considered to only occur in adults is now affecting young children. In addition, it is estimated that 16 million U.S. adults aged between 40-74 have pre-diabetes (this is where you have elevated blood sugar, but not high enough to be considered diabetes.)

The Signs
Okay, now you know the statistics. Now you realize it's not that uncommon to have it. So, you may now be asking yourself, "I wonder if I do have this disease?" Well, here is a quick list of signs and symptoms (found at webmd.com):

• Increased Thirst
• Frequent urination
• Increased Hunger
• Unusual Weight Loss
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Infections and cuts that heal slowly
• Blurred vision
• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
• Vaginal yeast infections

Who To See
If you are suffering from a combination of these symptoms, then I recommend seeing an endocrinologist. I understand that you may want to go to a primary care physician. However, my experience has taught me that many doctors rule out diabetes, yet you may still have it. Endocrinologists are specialists in this area and may find you have it, when the others said you didn't.

The Cost

• Estimated at $92 billion in 2002, compared to $44 billion in 1997.
• Represents 19% of total personal health care expenditures in the U.S. However, diagnosed diabetes patients' account for only 4.2% of the total U.S. population.
• $40.3 billion was spent for inpatient hospital care and $13.8 billion for nursing home care for people with diabetes.
• Diabetes-related hospitalizations totaled 16.9 million days in 2002. Rates of outpatient care were highest for physician office visits, which included 62.6 million visits to treat persons with diabetes.

Cardiovascular disease is the most costly complication of diabetes, accounting for more than $17.6 billion of the $91.8 billion annual direct medical costs for diabetes in 2002. (information found at www.diabetes.org)

Kelly Huggins, B.S., ACSM HFI
The Fitness MythBuster
404.303.8305 kelly@kellyhuggins.com