Baby boomers are hitting 50 and many are being hit by Type 2
diabetes, a condition that usually develops in people over 40. Over time, Type 2 diabetes
often leads to serious complications such as kidney failure, heart failure, stroke and eye
problems. However, the results of a recently-completed study show that intensively
lowering blood pressure and blood sugar can markedly reduce the risk of these
complications in people with Type 2 diabetes.
The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study, a 20-year follow-up of people with Type
2 diabetes, confirmed that when people with this disorder reduce their blood sugar as
close to normal as possible, they can see their risk of kidney failure and eye problems
reduced by 25 percent. If they also have high blood pressure, and they aggressively reduce
it, they can see major reductions in their risk of stroke (44 percent) and heart failure
(56 percent), in addition to the eye and kidney benefits.
A test for diabetes should be part of all routine physical examinations. Having this
test regularly is especially important for people who have an increased chance of
developing diabetes and its complications-including African-Americans, Native Americans,
Hispanic-Americans and anyone who has a family history of the disease.
If you have any of the following symptoms of diabetes, see your doctor right away:
fatigue, constant hunger or thirst, sudden weight loss, frequent urination, wounds that
won't heal, repeated vaginal infections, numb or tingling hands or feet, sexual problems
or blurry vision. For more information and a free brochure about diabetes and kidney
disease, contact the National Kidney Foundation of Alabama at (334) 265-1033.