Some sad news

[matt]

I just wanted to let you guys know in today's Miami Hearld it stated that Diabetes is becoming an epidimic. 800,000 every year are being diagonised. To add to the 16 million allready diagonsed. So pls becareful.

[Don]

Hi Matt,

You're right, the news on diabetes is horribly sad. What's worse though is that nearly 2/3s of Americans who have diabetes are unaware of their condition. In far too many instances, patients learn of their diabetes after an amputation, loss of vision, kidney problems, or a heart attack. For people of American Indian (especially from Tribes in the Southwest), African-American, or Hispanic heritage (especially Mexican-Americans, although all Hispanics are at higher risk), the odds are even greater that they may develop diabetes later in life. Getting a blood glucose test is a very simple matter of having your finger pricked. The tests are often offered at health fairs, and just about any doctor's office can do a quick check. The test literally takes a couple of seconds and it could save your life. Definitely talk to relatives, especially relatives who have a weight concern, and please ask them to be checked for diabetes. You may be saving their life.

[This message has been edited by Don (edited 01-27-2001).]

[sneezles]

My SIL was just diagnosed yesterday with diabetes but she also has an underactive thyroid which she has been off the medication for, for about 2 years. Her's is really a matter of ignorance-not knowing that one would affect the other. We all really need to become more knowledgable.

[jliah]

Sneezles, how are diabetes and the thyroid related?

I have to take daily thyroid replacement. Do you think I more apt to have a problem with diabetes if I am taking the thyroid pills faithfully?

Thanks.