Tweet
Please note: full posting of article allowable from this source with proper credit. 
---------------------------------------------------------------
All newspaper editors want to know what their readers like. If you would like to read this feature in your local newspaper, please do not hesitate to share your enthusiasm with your local newspaper editor.
BY RALLIE MCALLISTER, M.D.
RELEASE: SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 2005
A1C TEST IMPORTANT FOR DIABETICS
In the United States and around the world, diabetes is a rapidly growing epidemic.
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), more than 18 million Americans have the disease. While about two-thirds of these individuals have been diagnosed with diabetes, the ADA estimates that 5.2 million people aren't even aware that they have the condition.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body either does not produce or properly use insulin, the hormone responsible for escorting blood sugar, or glucose, into body cells, where it can be used for energy. As a result, blood glucose levels in diabetic patients are abnormally high.
Data from the latest U.S. National Health and Nutrition Survey revealed a worrisome trend: Only about 37 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have good control of their disease.
According to Rich Bergenstal, M.D., executive director of the International Diabetes Center in Minneapolis, Minn., "Having good control of diabetes means keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. This can be measured by a simple blood test called the A1C test."
The A1C test gives diabetic individuals a snapshot of their average blood glucose levels over the previous two to three months. If blood sugar levels have been high, the A1C will be high as well.
"The A1C test measures the percentage of red blood cells in the body that are coated with sugar," explained Bergenstal. "In people without diabetes, only about 4 to 6 percent of the red blood cells are coated with glucose."
While individuals with poorly controlled diabetes may have A1C levels greater than 20 percent, the American Diabetes Association defines good diabetic control as having an A1C of less than 7 percent.
Recently, a national education campaign was launched to raise awareness about A1C. The Aim. Achieve. Believe: Diabetes A1C Initiative encourages all diabetic Americans to have A1C levels tested regularly and to strive for an A1C of less than 7 percent.
"The A1C test lets people know how well they're controlling their diabetes. It's just as important to know your A1C number as it is to know your cholesterol level or your blood pressure," said Bergenstal.
Ideally, people with diabetes should have their A1C levels checked at the time of diagnosis and every three months thereafter. At the very least, the test should be performed twice a year.
"It's not always a matter of how you feel," Bergenstal said. "Even though you may feel fine, your blood sugar levels can be high, and your blood vessels are still being damaged."
Elevated blood glucose and high A1C levels place diabetic patients at increased risk for developing serious complications of their disease. "At the cellular level, glucose is an oxidative stressor," said Bergenstal. "It is very damaging to every tissue in the body."
Because excessive blood glucose is particularly damaging to the small blood vessels of the eyes and kidneys, diabetes is a leading cause of blindness and kidney disease.
Damage to the body's larger blood vessels often leads to strokes and heart disease. More than 65 percent of individuals with diabetes die from these causes.
For diabetics with A1C levels greater than 7 percent, lowering blood sugar is especially important. Studies have shown that each 1 percent reduction in A1C is accompanied by a significant reduction in risk of diabetic complications, including heart attack, stroke and even death.
Lowering A1C levels also helps diabetic patients feel better. Many of the symptoms of diabetes, including frequent urination, excessive thirst, fatigue and irritability disappear when the disease is properly managed.
"It takes a lot of work to keep diabetes under control," noted Bergenstal. "People with diabetes need to eat properly, exercise regularly and keep their weight down, in addition to taking the appropriate medications."
When lifestyle measures and oral medications fail to control blood sugar levels, diabetic patients may benefit from insulin injections. Berganstal said that while many patients don't like the idea of taking insulin, the drug can lower blood glucose more effectively than oral medications.
"Oral diabetic medications can lower blood sugar levels only to a certain point, while insulin can lower it as much as necessary, to help people get good control of their diabetes," he said. "Insulin is a safe, natural drug, and people shouldn't be afraid to take it."
Bergenstal emphasized that diabetes is a chronic disease that changes over time, necessitating close, careful management. "People with diabetes have to keep trying new ways of managing the disease," he said. "You can't just fix it once and then forget about it."
Rallie McAllister, M.D., M.P.H., is a family physician in Kingsport, Tenn., and author of "Healthy Lunchbox: The Working Mom's Guide to Keeping You and Your Kids Trim." Her Web site is http://www.rallieonhealth.com. To find out more about Rallie McAllister, M.D., and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2005 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.
--------------------------------------------
>> Data from the latest U.S. National Health and Nutrition Survey revealed a worrisome trend: Only about 37 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have good control of their disease.
That is a scary statistic, but very believable. Some of the diabetics I know regularly have candies or carby sugary treats. Part of it is the mind set of feeling they're being deprived otherwise.
~ Linda
---------------------------------------------------------------
All newspaper editors want to know what their readers like. If you would like to read this feature in your local newspaper, please do not hesitate to share your enthusiasm with your local newspaper editor.
BY RALLIE MCALLISTER, M.D.
RELEASE: SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 2005
A1C TEST IMPORTANT FOR DIABETICS
In the United States and around the world, diabetes is a rapidly growing epidemic.
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), more than 18 million Americans have the disease. While about two-thirds of these individuals have been diagnosed with diabetes, the ADA estimates that 5.2 million people aren't even aware that they have the condition.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body either does not produce or properly use insulin, the hormone responsible for escorting blood sugar, or glucose, into body cells, where it can be used for energy. As a result, blood glucose levels in diabetic patients are abnormally high.
Data from the latest U.S. National Health and Nutrition Survey revealed a worrisome trend: Only about 37 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have good control of their disease.
According to Rich Bergenstal, M.D., executive director of the International Diabetes Center in Minneapolis, Minn., "Having good control of diabetes means keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. This can be measured by a simple blood test called the A1C test."
The A1C test gives diabetic individuals a snapshot of their average blood glucose levels over the previous two to three months. If blood sugar levels have been high, the A1C will be high as well.
"The A1C test measures the percentage of red blood cells in the body that are coated with sugar," explained Bergenstal. "In people without diabetes, only about 4 to 6 percent of the red blood cells are coated with glucose."
While individuals with poorly controlled diabetes may have A1C levels greater than 20 percent, the American Diabetes Association defines good diabetic control as having an A1C of less than 7 percent.
Recently, a national education campaign was launched to raise awareness about A1C. The Aim. Achieve. Believe: Diabetes A1C Initiative encourages all diabetic Americans to have A1C levels tested regularly and to strive for an A1C of less than 7 percent.
"The A1C test lets people know how well they're controlling their diabetes. It's just as important to know your A1C number as it is to know your cholesterol level or your blood pressure," said Bergenstal.
Ideally, people with diabetes should have their A1C levels checked at the time of diagnosis and every three months thereafter. At the very least, the test should be performed twice a year.
"It's not always a matter of how you feel," Bergenstal said. "Even though you may feel fine, your blood sugar levels can be high, and your blood vessels are still being damaged."
Elevated blood glucose and high A1C levels place diabetic patients at increased risk for developing serious complications of their disease. "At the cellular level, glucose is an oxidative stressor," said Bergenstal. "It is very damaging to every tissue in the body."
Because excessive blood glucose is particularly damaging to the small blood vessels of the eyes and kidneys, diabetes is a leading cause of blindness and kidney disease.
Damage to the body's larger blood vessels often leads to strokes and heart disease. More than 65 percent of individuals with diabetes die from these causes.
For diabetics with A1C levels greater than 7 percent, lowering blood sugar is especially important. Studies have shown that each 1 percent reduction in A1C is accompanied by a significant reduction in risk of diabetic complications, including heart attack, stroke and even death.
Lowering A1C levels also helps diabetic patients feel better. Many of the symptoms of diabetes, including frequent urination, excessive thirst, fatigue and irritability disappear when the disease is properly managed.
"It takes a lot of work to keep diabetes under control," noted Bergenstal. "People with diabetes need to eat properly, exercise regularly and keep their weight down, in addition to taking the appropriate medications."
When lifestyle measures and oral medications fail to control blood sugar levels, diabetic patients may benefit from insulin injections. Berganstal said that while many patients don't like the idea of taking insulin, the drug can lower blood glucose more effectively than oral medications.
"Oral diabetic medications can lower blood sugar levels only to a certain point, while insulin can lower it as much as necessary, to help people get good control of their diabetes," he said. "Insulin is a safe, natural drug, and people shouldn't be afraid to take it."
Bergenstal emphasized that diabetes is a chronic disease that changes over time, necessitating close, careful management. "People with diabetes have to keep trying new ways of managing the disease," he said. "You can't just fix it once and then forget about it."
Rallie McAllister, M.D., M.P.H., is a family physician in Kingsport, Tenn., and author of "Healthy Lunchbox: The Working Mom's Guide to Keeping You and Your Kids Trim." Her Web site is http://www.rallieonhealth.com. To find out more about Rallie McAllister, M.D., and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2005 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.
--------------------------------------------
>> Data from the latest U.S. National Health and Nutrition Survey revealed a worrisome trend: Only about 37 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have good control of their disease.
That is a scary statistic, but very believable. Some of the diabetics I know regularly have candies or carby sugary treats. Part of it is the mind set of feeling they're being deprived otherwise.
~ Linda
Comment