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Dr. Rajesh Patel, MD.
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Ask the Doctor!
October 2008
Q:
My aunts and uncles have diabetes. Should I be concerned for my own health? What are the main symptoms of diabetes?
A:
It's a reasonable concern. Family history plays a key role in several diseases, including diabetes. There are other risk factors as well such as age, ethnicity, high blood pressure, improper diet and lack of exercise. The best initial step is to go to your doctor and get a blood test done. This simple test will show if your blood sugar is inappropriately high and indicates diabetes. Many people do not know they have diabetes until the symptoms arise. Symptoms include excessive thirst or hunger, frequent urination, unusual weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing skin ulcers, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to seek prompt medical care. Without adequate treatment, diabetes can cause damage to the eyes, heart, kidneys, and nerves.
Diabetes exists in two forms. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in people under age 30. These patients require insulin injections because their bodies won't make insulin. Type 2 diabetes is much more common (about 90% of all diabetic people) and it's because the body's insulin is either at a low level or not correctly used. Type 2 diabetes commonly exists in people over age 40. However, we're now seeing this disease develop in younger individuals due to a poor diet (high sugar, high fat) and lack of exercise early on in life.
Diabetes is a serious condition and requires immediate attention. Yet with proper treatment, people with diabetes can have long and happy lives. In fact, many type 2 diabetics can reverse their condition by sticking with a better diet and more exercise. So we can tackle this disease with lifestyle changes and medications, if necessary. See your doctor to identify and fight this disease at its earliest stage.
Submit your questions to askthedoctor@nowoodennickels.org
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