Are You At Risk For Diabetes?
Dear Friends and Family,
As we celebrate both All Saint's Day and Thanksgiving, may we experience the peace that comes from a living relationship with our Great God. November is also recognized as National Diabetes Month, and I would like to visit with you about this serious disease and how we can live healthier and fuller lives.
What is Diabetes? Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disease which affects our ability to produce and respond to insulin. This causes high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood which may cause complications ranging from blindness, kidney and circulation problems, and even death. There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 in which a person must take insulin injections to replace the missing insulin, and type 2 diabetes, which is a result of the bodies' resistance to insulin accompanied by a sick pancreas. The body may have a hard time getting the insulin from the blood to the working cells. In the US, diabetes kills more than 160,000 persons every year and is identified as the fourth leading cause of death and the leading cause of amputations. Native Americans, African Americans, and Hispanics have a much higher rate of diabetes than do Whites (American Diabetes Association, Office of Minority Health, 1990). It is also a growing problem as it is occurring more often in children than in the past.
Take the Test ... Know your risk! Read the following statements, and if they are true for you, add up the points. If the statement is not true, add a 0. The higher your score, the greater your risk is for diabetes. This is only a survey of risk factors. If you have any concerns, please visit with your doctor. You need a blood test to know for certain if you have diabetes. If you nave any questions about diabetes, please contact me. I would be happy to visit with you.
- 1. I have the following symptoms on a regular basis:
- * Excessive thirst YES 30_________
- * Frequent urination YES 30_________
- * Extreme fatigue YES 10_________
- * Unexplained weight loss YES 30_________
- * Blurry vision from time to time YES 10_________
- 2. I am over 40 years old. YES 10_________
- 3. I am 20% or more overweight. YES 20_________
- 4. I am a woman who has had more than
one baby weighing over 9 pounds at birth. YES 20_________ - 5. I am of Native American descent. YES 10_________
- 6. I am of African American or Hispanic descent. YES 10_________
- 7. I have a parent with diabetes. YES 10_________
- 8. I have a brother or sister with diabetes. YES 20_________
- TOTAL_________
This month our health ministry has focused on diabetes and how we can live healthier and fuller lives. May we strive to make faith pleasing choices about diet and exercise and be encouraged by these words, "...For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses ... Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Frieda Davis
RN, BSN, Parish Nurse