How do I know if I have diabetes?

Approximately 150 million people worldwide have diabetes. Individuals that possess the highest risk include African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and East Indians.

Diabetes type 2 causes vague symptoms such as excessive thirst and urination, blurry vision and fatigue. Since most patients do not feel pain, they do not seek medical attention and the disease can go undiagnosed for up to 10 years. While the disease progresses unnoticed however, eye, kidney, and nerve damage develops insidiously. By the time diabetes is discovered, irreversible organ destruction has already begun. Thus, the most important weapon we have against diabetes is awareness and prevention.

A fasting blood sugar of greater than 126 establishes the diagnosis of diabetes. However, if this value is less than 126, but greater than 110, an individual has what we call "impaired fasting glucose." Similarly, someone with normal fasting blood sugars, but elevated levels after eating (greater than 140) has "impaired glucose tolerance." Unfortunately, like diabetes, both "impaired fasting glucose" and "impaired glucose tolerance" can cause an increased risk of hear attacks and strokes.

To ensure that one does not develop the consequences of diabetes, we must remain aware and vigilant of the disease. As such, all individuals with a family history of diabetes and those in high-risk ethnic populations should seek yearly diabetes screening. Lifestyle changes including eating a balanced diet and daily exercise should be of utmost priority to prevent its onset.

Galdys F. Palomeno, M.D., Endocrinology & Metabolism
Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
Member, South Bay Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc.