Did you know that 29 million Americans have diabetes and another 86 million have pre-diabetes? That’s a third of all Americans! A majority of these diabetes cases are type-2 diabetes, which is a form of the disease that can be prevented or at least delayed. Even if you don’t think that you’re at high risk for type-2 diabetes, you should make sure that you’re receiving routine medical care, including your annual well woman exam to stand in solidarity against the growing diabetes epidemic.
About Type-2 Diabetes
Type-2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t make or use insulin well. Its rates are associated and growing with America’s obesity epidemic. It is often called adult-onset diabetes, but it is now also affecting youth. And it’s a dangerous disease. Besides affecting current quality of life, people with type-2 diabetes are twice as likely to die from heart disease and are at higher risk for kidney, eye and nerve diseases.
The good news is that type-2 can be prevented. If you’re high risk for diabetes, a modest weight loss of around 15 pounds can cut your risk by over half, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Well Woman Care and Diabetes Prevention
Your well woman exam is more than just about your reproductive health; it aims to assess your overall health specifically as a woman. As part of this exam, your gynecologist will assess several factors to see if you are at high risk for diabetes, and include:
- High blood pressure levels or unfavorable cholesterol levels. An unfavorable cholesterol level involves high triglycerides and low HDL levels.
- A body mass index (BMI) greater or equal to 25. A BMI over 25 is considered overweight. Measure your BMI. Habitual physical inactivity is also a risk factor.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS often have insulin resistance problems. Learn more about PCOS.
- A history of gestational diabetes. Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy and usually subsides after pregnancy. But women who’ve had gestational diabetes, and their children, are at a higher risk for developing diabetes in the future.
- Race, Ethnicity, and Health History. Some races are at higher risk for developing diabetes, as are individuals who have a first-degree relative with diabetes.
If your well woman care provider decides you’re at high risk for diabetes, they’ll recommend a diabetes screening and will talk to you about diet and lifestyle factors that can help reduce your chances of developing diabetes.
At All About Women, our team of women’s health experts is dedicated to helping you prevent diabetes. Contact our Gainesville or Lake City office today to schedule an appointment to discuss diabetes and your general health.
