Could You Be At Risk? (NAPSA)—Here’s an alert worth paying attention to: According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), learning your risk for type 2 diabetes could save yourlife. Diabetes is a serious disease that strikes nearly 21 million children and adults in the U.S. It is named the “silent killer” because one-third of those with the disease—more than 6 million—do not knowthey haveit. For many, diagnosis may come seven to 10 years after the onset of type 2 diabetes. Early diagnosis is critical for successful treatment and can delay or prevent some of the complications such as heart diseases, blindness, kidney dis- ease, stroke and amputation. That’s one reason the ADA holds the American Diabetes Alert Day, a one-day wake-up call to inform the American public about the seriousness of diabetes, particularly whenit is left undiagnosed and untreated. The day is held on the fourth Tuesday of every March. On that day, people are encouraged to take the Diabetes Risk Test, either with paper and pencil or online. The risk test requires users to answer seven simple questions about age, weight, lifestyle and family history—all potential risk factors for diabetes. People scoring 10 points or more are at a high risk for type 2 diabetes and are encouraged to talk with a health care professional. An estimated 54 million Americans have pre-diabetes. Those with pre-diabetes have blood glucose levels higher than normal but AM UNLa|e eyety yer Diabetes Association. TS) A free Diabetes Risk Test is available all year long to determine the risk for developing type 2 diabetes. not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Early intervention via lifestyle changes such as weight loss and increased physical activity can help delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Among the primaryrisk factors for type 2 diabetes are being overweight, sedentary, over the age of 45 and having a family history of diabetes. African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders are at an increased risk, as are women who have babies weighing more than 9 poundsat birth. The Diabetes Risk Test is available in English and Spanish by calling the ADA at 1-800-DIA- BETES (1-800-342-2383) or online at www.diabetes.org/alert. Though the Alert is a one-day call to action, awareness about type 2 diabetes is important anytime of the year, so free Diabetes Risk Tests are available online and by calling ADAall yearlong.
