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Symptoms of Diabetes
The most common symptoms of diabetes include:
•excessive urination including frequent trips to
bathroom •increased thirst •increased appetite •blurred vision •unusual weight loss •increased fatigue •irritability
Complications from Diabetes
Diabetes can lead to many disabling and life threatening complications. Strokes, blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, and amputations are common complications that effect African Americans who have diabetes
Kidney Disease "Diabetes is second leading cause of end stage kidney disease in African Americans, accounting for about thirty percent of new cases each year," says National Kidney Foundation of Illinois. Up to twenty-one percent of people who develop diabetes will develop kidney disease.
Amputations Diabetes is leading cause of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations in United States. More than sixty percent of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations in America occur among people with diabetes and African Americans are almost three times more likely to have a lower limb amputated due to diabetes than whites. According to Center for Disease Control (CDC), about 82,000 non-traumatic lower-limb amputations were performed among people with diabetes in 2001.
Blindness African Americans are twice as likely to suffer from diabetes related blindness. Diabetics can develop a condition called "Diabetic Retinopathy", a disease affecting blood vessels of eye, which can lead to impaired vision and blindness. Diabetes is leading cause of new cases of blindness in people from 20 - 74 years of age and up to 24,000 people loose their sight each year because of diabetes.
Heart Disease People with diabetes are up to four times more likely to develop heart disease as people who don't have diabetes. Atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries) is more common in diabetics and can lead to increased risk of heart attacks, stroke, and poor circulation throughout body.
Diabetes Risk Factors
You have a greater risk for developing diabetes if you have any of following:
Obesity Family history of diabetes Pre-diabetes Low physical activity Age greater than 45 years High blood pressure High blood levels of triglycerides HDL cholesterol of less than 35 Previous diabetes during pregnancy or baby weighing more than 9 pounds
Diabetes has had a devastating effect on African American community; it is fifth leading cause of death and second leading cause of end stage kidney disease in African Americans.
African Americans suffer from complications from diabetes at a much higher rate than rest of population. African Americans are three times more likely to have a lower limb amputated because of diabetes and twice as likely to suffer from diabetes related blindness.
If you have any of diabetes risk factors you should contact your physician and have a blood glucose test. Also discuss with your physician lifestyle changes you can take to lower your chances of developing diabetes.
About the Author Drahcir Semaj Drahcir is a freelance writer who develops content for web sites on African American issues. He can be contacted at drahcir@drachirsemaj.com
