Halle Berry says "Know Your Diabetes Risk"

Diabetes is one of the nation's greatest health concerns and the number of Americans with the disease is expected to double in the next 25 years. Today more than 18 million people nationwide have diabetes, of which 5.2 million are undiagnosed. If you have an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto's or Graves' disease your risk of Type 1 diabetes is higher, and if you are hypothyroid and overweight, you are at higher risk of Type 2 diabetes. A new campaign, Diabetes Aware, has been launched to educate the public. Says actress Halle Berry:

"Hopefully through our efforts, we will empower people to better understand what it means to live with diabetes and not be afraid to seek help."

Berry is featured in one of the campaign's public service announcements.

Here is what you need to know about your risk:

• Diabetes is associated with obesity, family history, older age and gestational diabetes (which occurs during pregnancy).
• African Americans and Hispanics are at increased risk of developing diabetes.
• A simple Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) Test at your doctor's office is all it takes to determine whether or not you are living with diabetes; a fasting glucose level of 126 mg/dL or above (confirmed by a second test) means you have diabetes.

If you're living with diabetes:

• Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is critical to know if your diabetes is in control. Blood glucose levels consistently above 126 mg/dL are considered "out of control."
• Diabetes not treated properly can lead to serious and potentially fatal complications such as blindness, kidney damage, heart disease, amputations and stroke.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. There are two types of diabetes:

• Type 1 affects people who cannot produce insulin, and most often strikes children and young adults. This form accounts for five to 10 percent of all cases of diabetes.
• Type 2, the most common form of diabetes (90 to 95 percent of cases), occurs when the body continues to produce insulin, but at a low rate. Lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise, losing weight and taking oral medications can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Type 1 diabetes, read Living Well With Autoimmune Disease.

For more information on diabetes, see the About.com Diabetes site.