- Diabetes: ethnic minorities are at risk

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Diabetes: ethnic minorities are at risk

Date Added: November 08, 2009 08:07:39 AM

Category: Health

If you have diabetes, you human body does not make enough of a hormone known as insulin, or you body does not use the hormone it has appropriately. Insulin helps the body use sugar (glucose) for energy. Left untreated, diabetes can result in blindness, nerve and blood vessel damage that leads to foot or leg amputation, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and death. Two types of diabetes are known. Type 1 is observed when the human body does not make insulin at all. People suffering from type 2 diabetes either suffer from insulin deficiency, or their cells ignore the insulin their body makes. About 95% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. This is sometimes also called "non-insulin dependent" diabetes. KNOW YOUR RISK If you gave birth to a kid that weighed more than 9 pounds and/or if you had gestational diabetes while you were pregnant, you are also at risk of developing diabetes. People over 45 are also at higher risk. You are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, if it runs in your family. Type 2 diabetes is more often observed in African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans or Pacific Americans. If you have one or more the risk factors stated above, your physician may want to begin regular diabetes screening. The earlier you know you have diabetes, the more you and your general practitioner can do to make certain you stay healthy. CHANGES ARE NECESSARY Unfortunately, you can do nothing to change your age, ethnicity or family history, but there are several risk factors you can control. Your diabetes risk also heightens, if you are fat, you do not take physical exercise regularly and/or you have an unhealthy diet. If you know you are at risk, making the right choices about nutrition and physical activity can help you stay healthy. Studies have shown that being on a healthy diet and exercising can preclude or delay type 2 diabetes. If you are fat, remember that corpulence is the single most significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Between 80% and 90% of people with diabetes are fat. Losing weight and watching it can help preclude diabetes. Eat a diversity of foods, including high-fiber products, such as whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Also, watch your portion. Keep in mind that any amount of exercise is better than none. Ride an exercise bicycle while you view the evening news or your favorite talk-show. Most of all, make certain you take up an activity that appeals to you, so you will stick with it. By being aware of your risk factors and making healthy choices a habit, you can control your health.

Diabetes: ethnic minorities are at risk

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