KDHE Home - News 2000 - News Release

Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor
Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary

November 20, 2000

Contact: Sharon Watson, 785-296-5795

Diabetes Remains a Leading Killer in the U.S.

Many with Type 2 are not controlling blood sugar levels

Approximately 16 million Americans suffer from diabetes. One-third of those people don't know they have it. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the nation. An estimated 800,000 people are newly diagnosed each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In Kansas, more than 72,000 adults have been diagnosed with diabetes, and over 745,000 other persons are at increased risk for developing the disease.

"Diabetes is a serious health problem for the individuals it afflicts and for our state," said Dr. Michael Moser, Director of the Division of Health with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. "However, with good medical care and a personal commitment to keep blood sugar levels under control, persons with diabetes today can live longer and healthier lives than ever before."

Diabetes, cause and symptoms

Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the body does not produce insulin (Type 1) or properly use insulin (Type 2). Insulin is a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy. About 90 percent of the 16 million Americans with diabetes have Type 2.

Symptoms of diabetes can include increased thirst, unusual weight loss, constant hunger, blurred vision, extreme fatigue, tingling or numbness of hands or feet, frequent infections, and slow-healing wounds and sores. However, a person can have diabetes for many years without symptoms.

Diabetes, when uncontrolled, can lead to devastating complications:

• •Blindness - Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults aged 20-74.
• •Heart Disease - Diabetics have up to 4 times the rate of heart disease as people without diabetes.
• •Chronic kidney failure - Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney failure.

• •Amputations - Diabetics suffer a high rate of lower limb amputations secondary to nerve damage.

Tragically, more than half of people with Type 2 diabetes in the U.S. have unacceptably high blood sugar levels, putting them at increased risk for these serious complications, according to new data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III).

"Fewer than half of type 2 patients in this national study had blood sugar levels recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA)," said Moser. "Controlling blood sugar levels is the key to reducing the risk of complications."

To address this critical health problem, KDHE encourages Kansans with diabetes to take steps now to control their blood sugar levels.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommends people with diabetes follow these guidelines for a healthier and better quality life:

• •All diabetics should have a primary care physician and see that doctor several times a year
• •Follow a schedule that ensures vigorous physical activity several times each week
• •Take all prescribed medications
• •Test or have someone else test your blood sugar levels regularly
• •Arrange with your doctor to get a hemoglobin A1c test at least twice a year (this test shows how good your blood sugar control is)
• •Get a flu shot each year - Diabetics without this protection are 3 times as likely as non-diabetics to die of influenza infections.

"By following these steps, people with diabetes will reduce their risk of developing the complications of this disease. They generally feel better, have more energy, and ultimately enjoy a better quality of life," Moser said.

To help people with diabetes control their disease, the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) is offering a free booklet called 7 Principles for Controlling Your Diabetes for Life. The booklet provides patients with checklists and questions to ask their health care providers about their diabetes care. This booklet and other diabetes education materials are available for patients, their family members and health care providers by calling NDEP at 1-800-438-5383.

More information about diabetes can be accessed at http://www.kdheks.gov/diabetes/ , or http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/, or http://www.diabetes.org. November is National Diabetes Month.

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