One In Four People Don’t Know They Have Diabetes
It’s diabetes awareness month and unfortunately this disease is on the rise. More than 30 million people in the United States have diabetes, but one in four of them don’t even know they have it.
Ninety percent of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes, which means their body doesn’t use insulin well and it is unable to keep blood sugar at a normal level. Thatcan lead to a variety of medical complications.
We can lower our risk for developing type 2 diabetes by getting regular check ups, eating a healthy diet about 30 min a day of physical activity. And if you are overweight, Even losing 5-7 percent of your body weight can make a difference only about 10-14 pounds for a 200 pound person.
Here are some risk factors for type 2 diabetes:
- 1
You Are 45 years or older
- 2
You Have Prediabetes
That means your blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
- 3
You Are Overweight.
- 4
You Have A Relative With Diabetes
You have an immediate family member with type 2 diabetes
- 5
You Are Sedentary
You are physically active less than 3 times a week
- 6
You Have Had Gestational Diabetes
Ever having gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds is another risk factor.