Table of Contents
Maria Warth, MD, Chief, Division of Endocrinology, Faulkner Hospital
Merri L. Pendergrass, MD, PhD, Director, Clinical Diabetes, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin – a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy. There are several types of diabetes – the most common is type 2 (non-insulin dependent or adult) diabetes. Currently, there are 13 million people in the United States who have been diagnosed with diabetes, with an estimated 5.2 million people who are unaware that they have the disease.
Who is at risk to develop type 2 diabetes?
Dr. Warth: There are a number of factors that place you at higher risk for diabetes – strong family history, sedentary lifestyle, obesity and a history of diabetes in pregnancy. Also, if you are African-American, Native American, or Hispanic you are at higher risk.
Dr. Pendergrass: Other risk factors include being over 45 years of age; delivery of a baby that weighed more than nine pounds; hypertension; low HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol; high triglycerides; polycystic ovary syndrome; and a history of heart disease, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease.
Can a person decrease their risk?
Dr. Warth: It is possible to decrease the risk of diabetes – for patients who are pre-diabetic and even those who are not. Important factors are those that are recommended for overall good health, including maintaining a healthy weight, plenty of exercise, and a well-balanced diet. All of these things can help people decrease their chance of developing diabetes.
What are the symptoms?
Dr. Pendergrass: Common symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, being very thirsty and extreme hunger. Other symptoms are blurred vision and unexplained fatigue. It is important to note that many people who have diabetes do not have symptoms in the beginning. Often, once symptoms develop their blood sugar levels are already high. Even though symptoms are not present, the individual is at risk for complications of diabetes. For this reason, it is important for people with risk factors to be screened for the disease. Diabetes is confirmed through one simple fasting blood test.
How is diabetes treated?
Dr. Pendergrass: Over the past 10 years there has been an explosion in the understanding of what causes type 2 diabetes and its complications – there are a number of medications, including insulins and oral agents, that can be used for treatment. An important component of treatment is lifestyle changes – losing weight, increased physical activity and strict dietary controls.
Dr. Warth: When a patient is diagnosed with diabetes, medications can be prescribed to control blood sugar levels. Patients are monitored carefully – at least every three months - to determine if their medications are working and if adjustments need to be made.
Should people who have diabetes be regularly screened for these complications?
Dr. Pendergrass: Patients should be regularly screened for the common complications associated with diabetes. They should have an eye exam once a year to check for eye damage. Each year they need to have a urine test to monitor their kidney function and a complete foot evaluation performed by a health care provider. Diabetic patients should perform a self-exam of their feet every day.
Learn How to Stay Healthy and Reduce Your Risk
Call 1-877-BWF-5773 or use our on-line appointment request form to make an appointment with an expert at Brigham and Women’s/Faulkner Hospitals who can help determine if you are at higher risk for developing diabetes and what steps you should take to ensure better health in the future.
