Type 2 Diabetes: Stopping a Silent Killer
What’s eating you? Well, if you have type 2 diabetes, it could be the disease damaging your blood vessels long before you are ever diagnosed with the disease.
“Most people have no idea about the damage that’s being done until it’s too late,” says Kevin Borst, D.O., an endocrinologist in Lakewood Hospital’s Diabetes and Endocrine Center. “Signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be present for as long as ten years before the disease is ever diagnosed.”
Doctors are beginning to recognize the importance of diagnosing pre-diabetes so that treatment can begin before more serious health problems present themselves. In fact, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent type 2 diabetes as well as its related complications, such as heart and blood vessel disease and kidney disease.
It’s estimated that more than 50 million people over the age 20 in the United States have pre-diabetes with blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, but are not high enough to be classified as diabetes.
Also known as “impaired glucose tolerance,” pre-diabetes is a condition where the body does not produce enough insulin and the cells ignore the insulin, which is essential for the body to be able to use glucose for energy.
“The body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose when we eat,” says Dr. Borst. “When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into the cells, over time, you will begin to see damage to the heart, kidneys, nerves and eyes.”
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:
- Blood pressure higher than 130 over 80
- Waistline bigger than 35 inches in women, and 40 inches in men
- HDL or "good" cholesterol less than 40 in women, and 50 in men. Triglyceride levels over 200.
- Fasting glucose over 100
“Some believe that replacing sugar with high fructose corn syrup in processed foods has played a role in the rise of type 2 diabetes cases,” says Dr. Borst. “It’s become popular because it extends the shelf life of processed foods and is cheaper than sugar.” High fructose corn syrup is used as an ingredient in many sodas and fruit-flavored drinks.
“You should be aware of how much of it you are consuming on a daily basis because too much can lead to serious weight gain,” Dr. Borst says.
There are ways to rid your body of pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes, says Dr. Borst. These include exercising at least 30 minutes at a time, five days a weight, losing weight, and talking to your doctor about ways to lower your triglycerides and LDL cholesterol.
“Knowing how important it is to aggressively treat risk factors through meal planning, physical activity and medication will help curb the problem and give the patient a chance at a longer, healthier life,” he says.
For more information on the Lakewood Hospital Diabetes and Endocrine Center or to make an appointment with Dr. Borst, call 216.529.5300. To order a free diabetes resource kit, visit www.lakewoodhospital.org/diabetes
Join us!
Fairview and Lakewood Hospitals presents:
Diabetes Symposium: Living Well with Diabetes
Wednesday, November 3
4 to 8 p.m.
LaCentre Conference and Banquet Facility, 25777 Detroit Ave., Westlake
If you are looking for new and better ways to cope with your diabetes, this day is for you. Back by popular demand, nationally recognized diabetes expert: Ginger Kanser-Lewis will give the keynote address: “The Diabetes World According to Me!”
In addition, there will be numerous exhibits, opportunities to speak with health care experts and brief seminars with Cleveland Clinic, Fairview and Lakewood Hospital physicians and wellness experts.
The event will include dinner and door prizes. Learning can be fun! Come and see what is in store for you. Please choose two health topics for your break out sessions:
- Healthy Eyes: Diabetic Eye Conditions - Ryan Deasy, MD
- Effects of Alcohol on Blood Sugar - Sanjit Bindra, MD
- Fitness for Life: Exercise made Easier - Hilary Hewkin Med, LAT, ATC, CSSCS and Meghan Loeffler, Health and Wellness Coordinator, Lakewood Family YMCA
- Tips on Talking with Your Doctor - James Gutierrez, MD
Please have your credit card number and topic selections chosen before you call. If you are registering other guests as well as yourself, please give us their individual mailing addresses and topic selections. Limited seating—Register early.
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 4 – 8 p.m.
LaCentre Conference and Banquet Facility, 25777 Detroit Ave., Westlake
Reservations: toll free 1.877.234.FITT (3488)
Cost for this event is a non-refundable fee of $10. Major credits cards only.