Find and Treat Diabetes Early

Of the 30.3 million Americans who have diabetes, 7.2 million are not yet diagnosed*. Get tested today.

Nearly one in 10 American’s have diabetes—but many of us don’t know it. Diabetes is a life-altering disease, and it’s important to catch it early. The earlier you detect diabetes, the better your chances of avoiding future health problems.

The best medicine? Learn the basics of diabetes, know your risks and talk with your doctor.

Diabetes Basics

Diabetes is a disease in which there is too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. It occurs when a person’s body is unable to produce or use insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels in our bodies.There are two types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in children and young adults. It occurs when the pancreas produces little to no insulin. This form of diabetes can be managed with daily insulin injections.
• Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 percent of cases. It occurs when your body resists the effects of insulin or doesn’t produce enough. This type is commonly linked to obesity, but not always.

If left untreated, either form of diabetes can increase the risk of serious health complications, including heart attack, kidney disease, limb amputation and blindness.

Diabetes Risk Factors and Symptoms

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:

• Age—being over 45
• Family history of diabetes
• Being overweight
• Infrequent or irregular physical activity
• Women who had diabetes during pregnancy
• Certain races/ethnicities, such as Pacific Islander, Asian-American, Mexican-American and African-American

Symptoms include frequent infections, extreme fatigue, frequent urination, or tingling and numbness in the hands and feet.

Ask Your Doctor about Screening

If you have one or more risk factors for diabetes or notice any of the above symptoms, talk with your doctor about being screened as soon as possible. If you receive a diabetes diagnosis, you are not alone. Ask your doctor about diabetes education and nutrition support.

If you are looking for a primary care provider, we invite you to meet the PacMed Primary Care team. If you are already living with diabetes or have recently been diagnosed, the PacMed Diabetes Management Program offers comprehensive medical care, health education and support.

*Statistics as reported in the 2017 National Diabetes Statistics Report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).