Diabetes is the fifth-deadliest disease in the United States, and it has no cure. The total annual economic cost of diabetes in 2002 was estimated to be 2 billion, or one out of every 10 health care dollars spent in the United States. Approximately 8.7 million, or 8.7 percent of all men over the age of 20 in the United States have diabetes. However, almost one-third of them do not know it. Diabetes, especially if untreated and unmanaged, can lead to severe health problems like heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, amputation and nerve damage (American Diabetes Association).

Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes.

Approximately 90 to 95 percent of men with diabetes, especially older individuals, have Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, is a disorder that affects the way the body uses digested food for energy. Insulin, produced by the pancreas, is necessary for glucose to be used as fuel by your cells. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces enough insulin, but the body cannot use if effectively and cells in the body do not receive appropriate glucose. This causes increased glucose in the blood (increased blood sugar).

Risk factors for diabetes include:

• Obesity/overweight (BMI Chart)
• Over the age of 45
• Family history of diabetes
• Family background of African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic American/Latino, or Pacific Islander decent
• Blood pressure of 140/90 or higher, or hypertension
• HDL cholesterol of 35 or lower, or your triglyceride level is 250 or higher
• Sedentary lifestyle, exercise fewer than three times a week

Although genetic risk factors cannot be avoided, there are several lifestyle changes that you can make to reduce your risk factors for diabetes. A low-fat, high fiber diet including five-to-nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily, whole grains and lean meats can make significant difference in reducing blood pressure and cholesterol.

Regular physical activity is another important measure you can take to reduce your risk factors. A major government study, the Diabetes Prevention Program, showed that a healthy diet and a moderate exercise program resulting in a five to seven percent weight loss could delay and possibly prevent Type 2 diabetes.

The symptoms of Type 2 diabetes develop gradually and are often not readily noticed.

Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include:

• Feeling tired or ill
• Frequent urination
• Unusual thirst or hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Frequent infections
• Slow healing wounds or sores

You may have heard of a condition called 'Pre-diabetes'. Pre-diabetes is a condition where your blood sugar is elevated, but not yet high enough to be classified as diabetes. If you are diagnosed with pre-diabetes you can lower your risk of getting diabetes Type 2 and even return to normal blood sugar levels. By integrating moderate physical activity into your daily routine and with reasonable weight loss you can delay or prevent Type 2 diabetes.

Learn more about diabetes and HAP's HealthTrack Program to help manage diabetes.