Type 2 Diabetes
Nearly 15 million Americans are affected by Type II or adult-onset diabetes.
This number is expected to increase as obesity continues to increase. For many
type 2 diabetics, however, the good news is that blood sugar control can be improved
without medication if dietary and exercise recommendations
are followed.
The bad news is that many people with Type 2 diabetes are
unaware that they have this potentially serious condition: they simply haven't
been tested. Singing sensation Patti LaBelle was one of these:
"I went to a doctor after a show one night. I passed out, almost.
And I thought it was going to be something related to the show, but he came
back and said "You're diabetic." I said "Oh really!" That's how I found out.
Miss LaBelle was aware that family history is the number-one
risk factor for type 2 diabetes-her mother and uncle both died of diabetes.
African Americans are also at increased risk, as are those who are overweight.
The good news is demonstrated by Miss LaBelle: even individuals at high risk
can manage their diabetes with healthy eating habits, maintaining a healthy
body weight, and medication if necessary.
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Created: 4/20/2001  - Donnica Moore, M.D.