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| | | | The
Story of Diabetes
Mellitus | Bala
N. Aiyer, M.D. |
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What
is Diabetes ? Diabetes
Mellitus is a disease that affects 16 million Americans each year. The American
Diabetes Association estimates that at least one million people who live in
Texas are unaware that they have diabetes. If left untreated or unnoticed, diabetes
may lead to kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, amputations, strokes, birth
defects and even premature death. | |
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| | DIABETES
: The Body's Energy Crisis - #1 A
condition for Life - to be Controlled & not Cured ! | |
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You
should be tested if you:
1.
have one or more of the following symptoms on a regular basis:
i.
excessive thirst, ii.
frequent urination, iii.
extreme fatigue iv.
unexplained weight loss v.
blurry vision from time to time.
2.
weigh 30% over your ideal weight 3.
are a woman who had a baby weighing over 9 lbs at birth. 4.
have history of diabetes in your family 5.
have a slow healing of cuts and sores 6.
have frequent infections 7.
have high blood pressure 8.
experience dry, itchy skin, numbness or tingling in hands or feet. | |
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Diabetes
Screenings
Recommendations
for Diabetes Screening Programs according
to the American Diabetes Association [2005]
1.
The blood glucose screening test is a finger stick glucose test. Patients may
either come for a fasting or for a "random" testing. Fasting test is defined as
no consumption of food or beverages other than water for at least 3 hours before
testing. A glucose level >100 mg/dl is an indication for further diagnostic
testing. Individuals with glucose levels < 100 mg/dl should be retested
in 3 years if they still have > 1 of the defined diabetes risk factors.
Individuals whos have a fasting blood glucose of between 101 to 125 are
considered to be in the stage of Pre-Diabetes and need to take extra precautions
of regular exercise and proper diet. There is a very high likelyhood of developing
Diabetes and need to reduce their weight to normal levels. 2.
Fasting Blood Glucose levels above 125 mg/dl, after over-night fasting, is considered
as Diabetes. Finger stick glucose testing also may be performed on individuals
who have taken food or drink shortly before testing. Such tests are referred to
as random glucose measurements. If food or drink (other than water) has been ingested
within 3 hours preceding the test, a random glucose level >160
mg/dl is considered positive. Individuals testing positive should be referred
for diagnostic testing. | |
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MAJOR
RISK FACTORS: Major
Risk Factors or High Risk conditions for Diabetes Include:
1.
A family history of Diabetes 2.
Obesity ( > 30% over ideal body weight ) 3.
Race ( Native American, Hispanic or African-American ) 4.
Age > 40 years 5.
Hypertension or significant Hyperlipidemia 6.
In woman, a history of delivery of a baby 9 lbs. or over. | |
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