A New Approach To Fighting The Threat Of Diabetes

(NAPSI)-There are 18.2 million diabetics undergoing treatment in this country-nearly one in 20 Americans-and 5.2 million more who don't even know they have it. Not only that, experts say there are 200 million people at risk for the disease, and a million new cases are reported every year.

Fortunately, it's possible to reverse the effects of diabetes. For example, Mike Huckabee, the youngest governor of Arkansas in the state's history, reacted to his diagnosis by losing 110 pounds in two years, going from obese to fit and reversing the effects of diabetes.

Governor Huckabee is such a success story that he wrote the foreword for a new book, "Diabetes Danger: What 200 Million Americans At Risk Need To Know" (Select Books, $21.95).

The book was written by Walter M. Bortz II, M.D., a lifelong enthusiast of staying healthy. He's teamed up with Governor Huckabee in an appeal to Americans to take control of their health. Not only will this be good for themselves and their families, but it helps the country pull back on the mushrooming costs of treating diabetes. Diabetics spend nearly five times as much as other people on medical care-only to die an average of 15 years earlier.

The most common symptom of early diabetes is chronic fatigue, but most people visit the doctor because they are experiencing another physical problem. In these cases, it's routine for the doctor to do a blood test and that's how he or she finds out that the patient has diabetes. But, by that time about half of the patients will already have serious complications.

Left uncontrolled, diabetes can, over time, lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, limb amputations and nerve damage. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults between the ages of 20 and 74, and it accounts for 40 percent of people who have kidney failure. Other health complications grow worse among people with diabetes. Cardiovascular disease is 2 to 4 times more common among people with diabetes, stroke is also 2 to 4 times higher, and 60 to 65 percent of diabetics have high blood pressure.

"The primary solution" says Dr. Bortz, "is prevention. When treatments are required, it must be rigorous and sustained. We need to do more to empower individuals and communities to take control-everybody from schools, to industry, government, and throughout the health care profession."

Worse, with health care costs related to diabetes now approaching $200 billion per year, companies, governments and individuals will soon no longer be able to afford treatment of this appalling disease.

Dr. Bortz's book offers hope, showing steps that should be taken to quench the fire of diabetes. He also gives potential strategies to reverse symptoms once the dreaded disease has struck and demonstrates how personal health maintenance, rather than the medical system, is more effective at reining in this horrible disease.

Walter M. Bortz II, M.D. is one of America's most distinguished scientific experts on aging. After training at Williams College and the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, he has spent his career at Stanford University, where he holds the position of Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine. He lives in Palo Alto, California, with his wife.

Walter M. Bortz II, M.D.

The chief causes of the current epidemic of diabetes in the United States is obesity and lack of exercise. Americans are eating too much, moving too little and living too fast.

(NAPSA)-The American Diabetes Association recommends that, in addition to diet and exercise, adults with type 2 diabetes should be considered for cholesterol-lowering medication regardless of their LDL cholesterol levels. For more information about cholesterol, visit www.choles terolkit.com.

People who suffer from an anxiety disorder may find it difficult to talk about it. Opening dialogues is the theme of the 2006 calendar "Women Talk," from the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Through real-life inspirational stories, women give hope and tips for confronting and overcoming the isolation and embarrassment associated with anxiety disorders. For more information or to order the calendar, visit www.adaa.org.

It can be easy to save money on medicine. Experts say following doctors' orders can save more than lives; it can save a health care system spiraling out of control. You can help control your health care costs by following your prescribed treatment regimen.

Eye Exam A Big Part Of Diabetes Detection
by Richard Trask

(50PlusNow™)-As U.S. waistlines expand, so does the number of people diagnosed with diabetes. In fact, more than 17 million people have diabetes and one-third do not know they have it. Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90 to 95 percent of all cases of diabetes, can cause changes in vision and, in extreme cases, blindness. The American Optometric Association (AOA) strongly encourages individuals to have regular, comprehensive eye examinations because optometrists can serve as the first line of detection for diabetes. "Optometrists also evaluate eye health by putting drops in the eyes so that the pupils become dilated. This allows me to actually see into the eyes through the pupils," said AOA president Dr. Richard L. Wallingford. "When looking inside the eye at the retina, an optometrist can see the blood vessels directly. The eye is the only place on the body that blood vessels can be seen without having to look through skin or tissue." As a result, optometrists can detect many diseases that affect our blood vessels. Early detection of diabetes is critical in maintaining healthy vision. In addition to older age, obesity and physical inactivity, other diabetes risk factors include a family history of the disease, medical history of gestational diabetes, and impaired glucose tolerance. Beyond that, here are some ways to reduce the risk of diabetes from developing: • Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. • Get high blood pressure under control. High blood pressure can make eye problems worse by increasing damage to blood vessels. • Keep blood sugar levels under tight control. High blood sugar causes damage to blood vessels. For eyes, this can mean damage to blood vessels in the retina and quite possibly changes in fluid pressure and clouding of the lens. • Quit smoking. • See an optometrist if your vision becomes blurry, you have trouble reading signs or books, you see double, you feel pressure in your eyes, straight lines do not look straight or your side vision is limited. Healthy vision doesn't happen by accident. Regular eye exams are essential in maintaining eye health and can also contribute to good overall health. A comprehensive eye exam is a major step in detecting diabetes.

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