Diabetes is currently the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes has reached epidemic levels with more than 29 million Americans suffering from the disease, and 86 million prediabetics that live with increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. When the body cannot effectively use insulin (insulin resistance) or fails to produce enough of the hormone, glucose cannot enter the cells to be used for energy. This causes sugar build up that can lead to heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure or amputations. Diabetes monitoring downtown Orlando offers the most effective way to identify the disease, prescribe effective treatments and manage an individual’s overall health.
When prediabetes is diagnosed through diabetes monitoring, patients who follow a program that includes a structured lifestyle change can reduce his or her risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by more than 50%. If you have one or more of the following risk factors, you should talk to our Internist about diabetes monitoring:
- Being Overweight or Obese
- Being 45 Years or Older
- Being Physically Active 3 Times a Week or Less
- Having a Family History of Type 2
- Having Gestational Diabetes
- Giving Birth to Baby of More Than 9 Pounds
Race and ethnicity are also factors that can increase your risk of developing diabetes. Since people often live for years without realizing they have prediabetes, diabetes monitoring is crucial. It is also helpful that you watch for symptoms that can include frequent urination, unusual thirst, extreme hunger, fatigue, irritability, frequent infections, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, cuts and bruises that are slow to heal and unexplained episodes of blurred vision.
To protect yourself and your loved ones, call Delta IMC at (407) 985-1940 to schedule a wellness exam for diabetes monitoring in downtown Orlando. A checkup with Dr. Michael Akpeke could save your health and your life.