From: Diabetes Detection.com
Diabetes is growing at epidemic rates, according to the World Health Organization.  DDI is hoping that we can help this growing population detect their illness early, and avoid many of the harsh consequences of allowing this disease to remain undetected as it currently does.  

I worked with a fellow (side by side) for almost ten years at an engineering company, and he was the type of fellow who rarely got a physical examination.  Although he was a veteran and could have done so at the VA for no cost, etc. 

One day, he had an injury to his leg, and he had to get a blood test because of possible infection, and that's when he was told that he had diabetes!  His whole life changed right away, and he was not the person he once was, etc.  Fun-loving; humorous; sociable...instead he became withdrawn; distant and reclusive in nature.  He wouldn't participate in functions at work; no pot-lucks; and pretty much stayed to himself.  He was probably battling depression! 

From: edoctors.com
If left untreated, ALL types of diabetes can cause damage to the body.  Patients are at risk for blindness; kidney damage; nerve damage; heart-disease; stroke and loss of limbs.

In 2001, I ballooned to about 210 pounds in weight, and I was going to have to take off 40 pounds to get back to my normal weight of about 170 pounds, etc.  It was my fear of getting diabetes, that was one of my motivators, as diabetes strikes many over-weight and obese people.  It took me ten months to lose the weight...but I did it, and I've weighed 170 ever since.  (See: Here's the Skinny On How I Lost 40 Pounds)

From:  Prevent Blindness America:
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults 20-74 years old.

Two people I know of died of diabetes in their early 50's.  The neighbor who lived next door to my parents, went blind and a leg was amputated.  And, my aunt Molly suffered the same fate...went blind and one of her legs was amputated.  She was a large woman and weighed about 250 pounds! 

From: American Diabetes Association:
Denial is that voice inside repeating, "Not me."  Most people go through denial when they are first diagnosed with diabetes.  "I don't believe it!  There must be some mistake!" they say.  Doctor's who do not specialize in diabetes may fuel your denial.  They may talk about a "mild" case of diabetes or say "there's just a touch of sugar," in your blood, etc.  Though well-meaning, these terms send the wrong message.  What you hear is, "Your diabetes is not serious enough to hurt you."

For several years, I have had elevated blood sugar, and I've flirted with pre-diabetes and diabetes, etc.  (Type 2)  And, I'm doing everything I can NOT to cross the line.  A few years ago, I read a short article in the newspaper, which stated that cinnamon is an enemy of blood sugar.  This was confirmed by a dietician at the VA Medical Center, who said she had heard the story.  I started sprinkling cinnamon on cereal and toast a couple of times a week, and my blood sugar has stayed under the line!  (Thank goodness/knock of wood)  See your doctor before you do anything!

From: American Diabetes Association:
Pre-diabetes is a serious medical condition, that can be treated before it develops into Type 2 diabetes.  People almost have pre-diabetes...that is...blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. 

Doing anything worthwhile is going to take lots of work; sacrifice; discipline and "sweat therapy!"  The things that have helped me stay away from diabetes (knock on wood) are: I quit smoking in 1970; I lost 40 pounds in 2001; I quit drinking in 2002; never done drugs; I've been jogging 15 miles a week since 1986; pumping iron since 1986; I've elimated most sweets from my life, etc.  No wonder I'm so depressed!  Just kidding! 

From: Defeat Diabetes.org
Diabetes is an insidious (to entrap) condition afflicting 21 million American's, and half of them don't even know it.  This insidious disease is the 3rd leading killer in the U.S. behind cancer and heart-disease!  Diabetes can be life-threatening...but with early detection, can be manageable.

If this article has frightened you...IT SHOULD!  As I showed in this article, diabetes is nothing to mess around with!  Some people may not be able to lose weight for whatever reason, but everyone can exercise.  In 2008, I will celebrate 22 years of jogging 15 miles a week since 1986...and that translates to over 17,000 miles...and it has been worth every step of it! 

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