Residents urged to take on-line test for diabetes alert day

GAINESVILLE, GA - District 2 Public Health will observe American Diabetes Alert Day by urging residents to go online to take the American Diabetes Association's Diabetes Risk T e s t at:http://www.diabetes.org/com munityprograms-and- localevents/americandiabetesalert. jsp .

By answering seven questions you will get a score showing your risk of getting diabetes. If you fall into the high risk group, you are encouraged to contact your health care provider or your local health department for more information.

The following District 2 Public Health Departments will be offering free Diabetes Screenings for adults (18 years and older) on various days. Please see the clinic schedule below for your county. Towns County, March 26; 8:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Union County, March 26; 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Because the test for diabetes checks glucose (sugar) levels in the blood, persons should fast or wait at least two hours after eating before having the test done to get the best results. Persons who should be screened for diabetes are individuals who fall into the risk groups for the disease. This screening is not for individuals who know they are diabetic and want to have a blood sugar test done. Groups that are particularly at risk for diabetes are:

• Persons with a family history of diabetes (parents or siblings),

• Persons with high blood pressure,

• Persons with elevated cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels,

• Persons who are obese (20% over ideal body weight),

• Persons who are African American, Hispanic, Native Indian, Asian, and Pacific Islanders,

• Women who have delivered a baby weighing 9 lbs. or more at birth,

• Persons over 45 years of age.

Diabetes is a serious disease that affects nearly 21 million children and adults in the United States. As many as 6 million of these people do not know that they have diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, one in five Americans is at risk for developing diabetes.

Many people ignore the signs for diabetes and go as long as seven to ten years before being diagnosed with the disease. Early diagnosis is critical to successful treatment of diabetes and delaying or preventing some of its complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and death.

People with diabetes can reduce the occurrence of complications by working with their health care provider and following preventative care practices. These practices include following a careful diet, exercising properly, losing excess weight, and in some cases using diabetes specific medications.