MDG educates Airmen during Diabetes Awareness months Published March 14, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Vanessa Young 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- During Diabetes Awareness months, March and April, the 48th Medical Group is encouraging Airmen and their families to assess their risk for developing this disease. According to the American College of Physicians Diabetes Care Guide, one in 14 Americans has diabetes and another 40 percent are at risk for developing the disease. Every year, diabetes accounts for more that 200,000 deaths, 82,000 amputations, 44,400 new cases of dialysis dependence and 24,000 cases of blindness in the U.S. The American Diabetes Association recommends screening for everyone more than 45 years of age every three years regardless of symptoms and other illnesses, adults with a body mass index greater than 25 or Asian Americans with a BMI greater than 23. Also, anyone with the following risk factors should be screened more frequently and screening should start at a younger age: · Lack of exercise · First-degree relative with diabetes · A history of pregnancy-related diabetes · History of delivering a child greater than 9 pounds · History of pre-diabetes, high blood pressure · High cholesterol · History of blood vessel disease According to the ADA, Hispanics, Asians, American Indians, African Americans and Pacific Islanders should be screened more frequently as well. "If you are not sure of your BMI, blood pressure or prior lab work, then please talk to your primary care manager," Maj. Jeffrey Molloy, 48th Medical Operations Squadron internal medicine chief. "They can set up an evaluation to gauge your risk and determine your need for testing." Major Molloy added that Type 2 diabetes, which is the most common variant, is undiagnosed in nearly 50 percent of people with the disease. Diabetes can be caused by a number of problems with hormone production and cell function caused by disease, toxins and associated conditions like pregnancy, obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, said Major Molloy. The cardinal signs of diabetes include: abnormal thirst, hunger and excessive urination. Through alteration in lifestyle, close monitoring and medication, the development of these problems can be slowed and in many cases prevented. According to Major Molloy, thirty minutes a day of moderate physical activity and a 5 to 10 percent decrease in body weight can equal a 58 percent reduction in developing diabetes. According to Major Molloy, the 48th MDG is in the top 10 percent of hospitals in the U.S. for diabetic care measures. "Not only are we recognized for our ability to screen and follow up our diabetics, but we also have assisted our patients to obtain excellent control of their blood sugars and cholesterol," he said. "These results are based upon our team approach involving educational seminars, aggressive monitoring and continuing education for our technicians, nurses and professional staff." Airmen who have questions about their risk for diabetes or complications should contact their health care provider.