Diabetes Up 90% in U.S.

CDC: West Virginia Has Highest Diabetes Rate; Obesity Blamed

Oct. 30, 2008 -- Scary Halloween news from the CDC: Type 2 diabetes is up 90% since 1997.

And that may be an underestimate because the numbers come from self-reported surveys conducted by the CDC in 1995-1997 and in 2005-2007. About a third of people with diabetes don't yet know they have the dangerous disease.

"This dramatic increase in the number of people with diabetes highlights the increasing burden of diabetes across the country," CDC data analyst Karen Kirtland, PhD, says in a news release.

For the first time, the CDC has state-specific data on diabetes. Southern states have the highest diabetes rate. Among the 10 states with the highest diabetes rates, only Arizona is not in the South. The other nine are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.

West Virginia takes the dubious honor of being the U.S. diabetes capital. Of the 33 states for which the CDC has complete data, West Virginia has the highest annual diabetes rate -- 12.7 new diabetes cases for every 1,000 residents.

Minnesota has the lowest annual diabetes rate: five new cases per 1,000 residents. But even in the "best" state, diabetes is way up -- by 67% -- over the last decade.

California has the highest number of new diabetes cases. In 1997, 208,000 Californians were told they had diabetes.

What's going on?

"The growth in diabetes prevalence has been concomitant with growth in obesity prevalence," Kirtland and colleagues report in the Oct. 31 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

In the South, 27.3% of people are obese. But Americans aren't exactly lean in other regions. The obesity rate is 26.5% in the Midwest, 24.4% in the Northeast, and 23.1% in the West.

Obesity, the CDC says, is the major risk factor for diabetes. Yet it's not necessary to become thin to avoid this debilitating disease.

A study of people at high risk for diabetes shows you can cut your risk of diabetes by 58% in a three-year period by doing just two things:

Lose 5% to 10% of your body weight.

Five days a week, get 30 minutes of moderate physical activity.

Answer:

Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia).

If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.

People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.

However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.

Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.