November Focus of the Month 2013
Diabetes
In Allegany County, the rate of Emergency Department visits for diabetes per 100,000 people is higher than the State of Maryland and the rate is rising.
Diabetes is a serious disease in which blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are above normal. Diabetes can lead to problems such as heart disease, stroke, vision loss, kidney disease, and nerve damage.
Most people with diabetes have type 2, which used to be called adult-onset diabetes. At one time, type 2 diabetes was more common in people over age 45. But now more young people, even children, have the disease.
About one-third of people with type 2 diabetes do not even know they have it. Many people do not find out they have diabetes until they are faced with problems such as blurry vision or heart trouble.
Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they usually have prediabetes. People with prediabetes are more likely to develop diabetes within 10 years and they are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.
Have you wondered or possibly been told that you are at risk for developing diabetes or that you have prediabetes? Take the Diabetes Risk Test at the following link:
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/prevention/diabetes-risk-test/risk-test-flyer-2012.pdf
Talk to your doctor about your risk for getting type 2 diabetes and what you can do to lower your chances.
Take steps to prevent diabetes by making healthy food choices, staying at a healthy weight, and moving more every day. Source: www.ndep.nih.gov
Western Maryland Health System - Center for Clinical Resources
Resource for Managing Patients with:
Diabetes - Heart Failure - Anti-Coagulation - COPD
Opening November 4th!
Western Maryland Medical Arts Center, Suite 300
12502 Willowbrook Road
Cumberland, Maryland 21502
A physician referral is needed to enroll in a health management program at the Center for Clinical Resources. For more information, please call 240-964-8787.