What makes diabetes such a tragic disease is that it is entirely preventable. Although genetic traits, the prevalence of obesity and insulin resistance increase the risk of diabetes in the African-American community, the disease can be overcome.
According to the Society for Vascular Surgery diabetes and peripheral artery disease strike the African American population harder than most resulting in a higher risk of preventable amputations. Statistically, about 29 million Americans, or 9.3 percent of the population, have diabetes. However, African Americans have some of the highest incidence rates for the disease, including complications associated with diabetes.
What makes diabetes such a tragic disease is that it is entirely preventable. Although genetic traits, the prevalence of obesity and insulin resistance increase the risk of diabetes in the African-American community, the disease can be overcome. Unfortunately for black Americans, they also have the highest rate of diabetic complications, often caused by poor glycemic control and racial inconsistencies embedded in the health care system.
But like all preventable diseases, if you catch the problem early enough, your chances of adapting and surviving the diagnoses improve dramatically. So here are six potential diabetic symptoms African Americans must pay special attention to.
Excessive urination: when your battling with diabetes, your body becomes less efficient at breaking foods down into sugar. Consequently, there is more sugar in your bloodstream that your body releases when you urinate. If frequent trips to the bathroom, at night, are keeping you from a restful sleep it may be a warning sign of diabetes.
Excessive thirst: well if you are emptying your bladder frequently chances are you are feeling parched. So chronic thirst is another common sign of diabetes. The problem becomes even worse if you rely on sugary drinks to quench your thirst. The more sugar you put into your bloodstream, the more you need to urinate. Ergo it becomes a vicious circle of dehydration.
Depression and irritability: when your blood sugar readings are peaking and plummeting like a roller coaster, you can easily become short-tempered and grumpy. The fatigue may force you to nap more than you’d like and the lack of energy and physical malaise can easily lead to depression.
Blurred vision: When excessive glucose builds up in the eyes, it compromises the blood vessels in the back of the eyes and blurry vision results If left untreated, it can cause blindness.
Constant fatigue: elevated blood sugar can leave you feeling tired all the time. Ongoing fatigue is an important symptom to pay attention to as it is a common sign of diabetes.
Numbness and tingling: a feeling of tingling or numbness, caused by nerve damage, especially in the limbs and feet, is another sign of diabetes.
Don’t make that mistake of ignoring any potential diabetes symptom. If you notice one or more of these tell-tale symptoms, have your doctor test you for diabetes. You and your loved ones will be glad that you did.
