Practical Practitioner
By: Pamela Egan, FNP-C CDE
Diabetes Mellitus is #6 cause of death by disease in U.S.
MAY 05, 2008 – I am diagnosing more and more new diabetics each week in our clinic. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease pose significant threats to our health and well being. When is the last time that you were screened for diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus ranks as the sixth leading cause of death by disease in the United States today. Over 20 million Americans have diabetes, and this number is growing. It is estimated that nearly one-third of those with diabetes are not diagnosed and therefore not receiving care for this disease.
Since 1990, the prevalence of diabetes has increased by 61%. Not surprising, this increase in diabetes corresponds with the increase in obesity. I was walking in my neighborhood this morning and noted that the school bus stopped to pick each child up at their driveway. When I was a child, we had to walk one block to meet the school bus. Are we really helping them by doing this? It’s no surprise that the obesity epidemic is essentially triggered by excess calorie consumption and sedentary lifestyles.
Obesity, especially abdominal fat, has become an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It is also a sign of insulin resistance, vascular inflammation, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
We are seeing more and more children who are overweight classified as both Type 1 & Type 2 diabetes. Many are treated with insulin but without treatment for their insulin resistance. This lack of treatment is compounding their complications.
Type 1 is an autoimmune disease of the pancreas resulting in a lack of insulin and comprises about 5 – 10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes in childhood have a high risk of early heart disease.
Type 2 comprises about 90 – 95% of all diabetics. Plasma insulin levels are normal to high. Many have insulin resistance that needs to be reversed. Insulin is the fat storing hormone and an inflammatory hormone. Too much insulin in the blood can actually lead to coronary artery disease. Adults with diabetes have a 2 -4 fold increased risk of stroke and a 3-fold increased risk of heart disease, not to mention peripheral arterial disease, chronic kidney disease and many other disorders.
Diabetes and cardiovascular disease cause nearly 1 million deaths per year and result in over $620 billion in health care costs.
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Pamela Egan, FNP-C, CDE is a board certified Adult & Family Nurse Practitioner, Certified Diabetes Educator & Clinical Specialist in Mental Health. She practices in Women’s Health with Kathy Posey, MD & can be reached at 985-867-1700 or www.pamelaegan.com.
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