About 40% of adults between the ages of 40-74 in the US have pre-diabetes, a condition at high risk for the development of diabetes. Asian Americans are recognized as a high-risk group for diabetes, as the risk for type 2 diabetes occurs at a lower BMI for Asian Americans (23 or over) than other ethnic groups (25 and over). According to death certificates in 2006, diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in the US, while it ranked fifth among Asian Americans. The prevalence of diabetes in Seattle is a shocking 2 to 3 times higher among Japanese Americans than Caucasians, and 2.5 times higher among Native Hawaiians than Caucasians residing in Hawaii.
Asian and Pacific Islanders Americans are recognized as a high-risk group for diabetes. The World Health Organization concluded that risk for type 2 diabetes occurs at a lower BMI for Asian Americans (23 or over) compared to other ethnic groups (25 and over). The prevalence of diabetes in Seattle is 2 to 3 times higher among Japanese Americans than Caucasians, and 2.5 times higher among Native Hawaiians than Caucasians residing in Hawaii.
Diabetes occurs when the body does not respond correctly to insulin, leading to high levels of glucose in the bloodstream. Insulin is a hormone that is required for the body’s cells to take up glucose from the blood and store it as glycogen (readily available energy) in the liver and muscle. If the body cannot properly use insulin, glucose will remain in the blood, leading to the symptoms of diabetes.
People with a family history of diabetes are at an increased risk for the disease. Low levels of activity, poor diet and excess body weight (especially around the waist) increase the risk for type 2 diabetes. While most people with diabetes are overweight at the time of diagnosis, type 2 diabetes can also develop in those who are thin, especially the elderly. Contrary to popular belief, diabetes is not caused by the consumption of too many sugary foods. Additionally, studies have shown that babies born to malnourished mothers may be at a higher risk for insulin resistance and obesity as adults.
Diabetes is the leading cause of adult blindness, end-stage kidney disease and amputations in the US. Two thirds of people with diabetes will die of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, people with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to have heart disease and a stroke.
Symptoms
Symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes are gradual and not always apparent. Some symptoms include: feeling tired or ill, unusual thirst, increased appetite, frequent urination at night, weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections and slow-healing wounds.
Prevention
Exercise, eat healthier and manage your weight. The National Institutes of Health showed that 58% of the people with a high risk for diabetes were able to prevent the onset of the disease by increasing their activity, changing their diet and losing 10-15lbs.
Get tested. Diabetes is diagnosed with a simple lab test of a person’s blood sugar levels after an eight hour fast. A person has diabetes if the fasting plasma glucose is 126mg/dL or greater. The sooner your recognize the problem, the better.
Treatment
Treatment usually requires following a diet and exercise plan, and self-testing blood sugar levels to determine the need for oral medication or insulin injections. About 40% of people with type 2 diabetes require insulin injections.
If a diet and exercise regimen do not help maintain blood glucose levels, an oral medication may be prescribed. These are some of the most common ones:
Oral sulfonylureas: Boosts insulin production in pancreas.
Biguanides: These tell the liver to decrease its production of glucose.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors: Decreases the absorption of carbohydrates from the digestive tract, lowering the after-meal glucose levels.
Thiazolidinediones: Increases the cell’s sensitivity and responsiveness to insulin.
Meglitinides: Signals the pancreas to make more insulin in response to the levels of glucose in the blood.
