A recent study issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that new cases of diabetes has increased by about 90 percent in the United States over the past decade, fueled by growing obesity and sedentary lifestyles.
According to the study, newly diagnosed cases of diabetes rose to 9.1 per 1,000 people annually between 2005 to 2007, up from 4.8 per 1,000 from 1995 to 1997. The most common form of diabetes, type 2 diabetes, is closely linked to obesity. An estimated 90-95 percent of the new cases are type 2 diabetes as opposed to type 1 diabetes or juvenile diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association estimates that 23.6 million Americans, or about 8 percent of the population, have diabetes. Overall, one in 10 U.S. adults, or 10 percent, has been diagnosed with diabetes, compared to 6 percent who have experienced cancer, the ADA reports.
Dr. Rattan Juneja, chief of endocrinology at Wishard Health Services and endocrinologist for the Indiana University School of Medicine, said one of the primary causes of this rise has to do with people’s diet and lifestyle choices. He said the move to more quick meals on the go over the past two decades has played a major role in the rise of obesity and consequently diabetes.
“Early intervention is key to reducing the chances of developing diabetes,” said Dr. Juneja, adding that losing even modest amounts of weight and getting more physical exercise can help prevent diabetes, but many people are not taking these steps.
Once you develop diabetes, some of the first symptoms are an increase in urination, thirst and hunger. These are all related to the rising blood glucose levels. Dr. Juneja said very often however, the development of these symptoms is subtle and diabetes is often “silent” or undiagnosed.
The American Diabetes Association therefore recommends routine screenings for diabetes to begin at approximately age 45. The screening can be done at a younger age given certain risk factors that include individuals who are overweight or obese, individuals with a family history of diabetes, or individuals with medical problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease.
The screening commonly involves a fasting blood sugar although a casual (random) blood glucose can also be used. A fasting blood glucose level of greater than 100 mg/dl is considered to be “pre-diabetes” and losing 5-7 percent of your body weight with diet and exercise at these blood glucose levels can significantly reduce the chances of developing full blown diabetes.
Dr. Juneja explained that once diabetes has been established, if the blood glucose levels remain untreated the risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney damage and blindness increases.
For more information on diabetes or the services Wishard provides, call Health Connection at (317) 655-2255.
