The number of people suffering from type 2 diabetes continues to increase in our population and figures show that the number of people in the US suffering from all types of diabetes will double in the next 25 years to over 44 million.

Gaining control of our weight whether it is through medical weight loss or JSAPA Weight Loss Surgery is becoming a more important weapon in the fight against diabetes.

Who is at risk of developing diabetes? Risk is greater when there is a family history of the disease. Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, African Americans and people of Asian descent are at a greater risk and should consider pre-diabetes screening. Others who would benefit from this type of screening are people with high blood pressure, elevated and high cholesterol and those who have medical signs of insulin resistance. Pre-diabetes is also prevalent in women who suffer gestational diabetes or polycystic ovary disease.

Recognizing and being tested by way of a hemoglobin A1C test is important because pre-diabetes recognizes the tendency towards the disease and not the disease itself. Treatment for pre-diabetes can preempt the disease and gain control of blood glucose levels. This test can be repeated quarterly to ensure that levels are under control.

Some symptoms of type 2 diabetes include a blood sugar level of 125 or higher, and frequent urination or extreme thirst. Other symptoms include sexual dysfunction, disturbance to vision and numbness in the limbs. Recognizing these symptoms early and gaining the proper education on treating the disease are important to staying healthy and preventing the onset of long term complications to diabetes such a kidney disease.

Recognizing the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes early can allow time to get the treatment and education needed to fight the disease that is affecting so many people.