The problem with diabetes is that people don't understand it. It often shows up unannounced. The symptoms aren't too obvious. And millions of people who have it don't even know it - yet . . .
By the time diabetes is diagnosed, damage is being done in the body to the heart, eyes and nerves.
Happily, diabetes can be detected early with a simple blood test. It can be prevented or delayed with smart eating habits. And it can be managed on a daily basis with medications and diet. That's the good news.
But here's the alarming news: Six million Americans have diabetes and don't know it - yet, according to Shawn Murphy, executive director of the American Diabetes Association serving Nebraska, South Dakota and western Iowa.
“Diabetes just doesn't show up like a heart attack or stroke, and it can't be found on an x-ray,” she said.
Even more startling, 57 million of us are in a condition known as prediabetes, meaning we're on the brink of developing diabetes right now.
“One of every three people born after 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime,” said Murphy, “and among minorities, one of every two will (referring to the higher risk for Hispanics, African Americans, and Native Americans, among others).”
The Biggest Myth about Diabetes continue reading
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