According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), more than one in five Americans who have diabetes don’t even know they have it. Many people are undiagnosed, untreated, and unaware of the multitude of other health issues they will be at risk for if they don’t treat their diabetes.
Diabetes can lead to other significant medical conditions such as heart disease, poor circulation leading to amputation, blindness, and more. Diabetes is a serious health condition, but there is treatment.
Are you at risk?
Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction (the body attacks itself by mistake). No one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes. Known risk factors include:
- Family history: Having a parent, brother, or sister with type 1 diabetes.
- Age: You can get type 1 diabetes at any age, but it usually develops in children, teens, or young adults.
In the United States, White people are more likely to develop type 1 diabetes than African American and Hispanic or Latino people.
Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes share almost all of the same risk factors. If you already have prediabetes, this is an added risk factor that makes you more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. You’re at risk for both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes if you:
- Have overweight or obesity.
- Are age 45 or older.
- Have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes.
- Are physically active less than 3 times a week.
- Have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
- Have ever had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or given birth to a baby who weighed over 9 pounds.
- Are an African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, or Alaska Native person. Some Pacific Islander people and Asian American people also have a higher risk.
Know your number!
Taney County Health Department provides heart health, diabetes screenings, and education to low-income adults aged 50 and older. For more information about the Healthy Aging Program, contact Taney County Health Department at either location. or contact your healthcare provider to get screened today.
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