Diabetes

Pre-diabetes, a condition that produces higher-than-normal blood glucose levels, currently affects 41 million people in the United States and can develop into type 2 diabetes if not given proper attention. A new drug that is pending FDA approval has been developed to combat type 2 diabetes. The once-daily oral medication claims to enhance the body's own ability to lower blood sugar when it is elevated.

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body does not produce enough insulin, and it is most prevalent in African-Americans over age 40. Among African-Americans, 1 in 9 have diabetes (compared to 1 in 16 Caucasians), according to the National Diabetes Education Program. Other forms of the disease include type 1 diabetes (formerly called juvenile diabetes) and gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy, and is most common in obese women and those with a family history of the disease.

One theory related to why African-Americans seem to be predisposed to the disease is the thought that they have inherited a gene that enabled their African ancestors to survive during cycles of feast and famine. The same gene that enabled them to use food energy more efficiently during food shortages may make weight control more difficult today.

While diabetes is serious, it's possible to live a full life with the disease by eating healthy, exercising and taking insulin if necessary. Since many people are unaware that they have the disease, one course of action is to be tested, particularly if you have a family history of the disease or have warning signs, which include constant urination, abnormal thirst, unusual hunger, rapid weight loss, fatigue and nausea.

COPYRIGHT 2006 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning