SHREVEPORT, La. – Around 34 million Americans have diabetes. According to Dr. Laura Kimball-Ravari, an endocrinologist at the Willis Knighton Health System, is projected to double that number by 2050.
“So the numbers are really breathtaking,” said Kimball-Ravari.
Even more amazing is the fact that millions don’t even know they have it.
“There are over 7 million Americans who have diabetes and don’t even know they have this diagnosis,” Kimball-Ravari said of the doctor or not getting frequent checkups. “
DR. Laura Kimball-Ravari
Another 90 million people are pre-diabetic or on the verge of being diagnosed with diabetes and could take steps to prevent it.
What is diabetes
“Diabetes is a condition in which our body cannot produce enough insulin. And then the insulin that makes it, sometimes it doesn’t work efficiently. And that can lead to the formation of glucose in our blood. Glucose is our body’s fuel and we need to be able to absorb it and use it in our bodies, ”explained Kimball-Ravari.
There are two kinds.
“Type 1 is an autoimmune disease. This is where your body makes an antibody that destroys the cells that produce insulin. They need insulin, they are completely without, “said Kimball-Ravari.
Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be prevented because its causes can be genetic factors and lifestyle choices.
“You can hear diabetes in families. Well, you need to look at the other things that go on in the family. It’s usually overweight, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, “said Kimball-Ravari.” All of these things can come from bad living and bad eating habits and not exercising and not having good living habits that will help lower glucose and make insulin work better. “
What are the symptoms?
“If you experience a significant increase in your thirst and appetite, when you urinate a lot, have excessive fatigue, and unusual blurred vision, these are the classic symptoms you need to get examined and have a blood glucose test,” she said.
It’s important to get regular checkups and lifestyle changes to prevent a diagnosis of diabetes.
“There are some statistics that show that 9 out of 10 people who are at risk of diabetes can stay away from a diagnosis if they address it early on.”
Because as soon as you have been diagnosed, “There is really no cure for diabetes. Once you have it, you always have it, “said Kimball-Ravari.
