American Diabetes Alert

The American Diabetes Association is issuing a call-to-action for Americans to find out their risk for type 2 diabetes. Nearly 6 million Americans have diabetes, but don?t know it. Another 57 million Americans have prediabetes, which places them at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association encourages people who are overweight, physically inactive and over the age of 45 years to take the Diabetes Risk Test. The Diabetes Risk Test asks users to answer simple questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risk factors for type 2 diabetes. The Diabetes Risk Test will show whether they are at low, moderate or high risk for prediabetes or diabetes. The Diabetes Risk Test is available in English and Spanish by calling 1-800-DIABETES(342-2383) or by visiting diabetes.org/alert.

Among the primary risk factors for type 2 diabetes are being overweight, sedentary, over the age of 45 and having a family history of diabetes. African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are at an increased risk, as are women who have had babies weighing more than nine pounds at birth. Unfortunately, people with type 2 diabetes can live for years without realizing that they have the disease. While people with diabetes can exhibit noticeable symptoms, such as frequent urination, blurred vision and excessive thirst, most people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes do not show these overt warning signs at the time they develop the disease. Often, type 2 diabetes only becomes evident when people develop one or more of its serious complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye damage or nerve damage that can lead to amputations.