Diabetes is a serious disease that roughly 21 million people have in the United States. Researchers have concluded that a person with diabetes lives an average of eight years less than someone without the disease.

This conclusion is due to the fact that people with diabetes are more likely to develop other life-threatening diseases such as heart disease. Heart disease is one of the most likely diseases that can be developed by someone with diabetes because it boosts the growth of fatty cells on the arteries, and there is also a higher amount of sugar in the blood which also causes blood clots. Both factors cause heart attacks that can be deadly.

Risk Factors of Developing Diabetes

• Weight: People who are obese are more at risk for developing diabetes. Statistics say that of the people who have diabetes, 80-90% are overweight.
• Age: The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases with age.
• Family history: There is not much you can do about this factor, but being aware is important. If you have at least one relative with diabetes, you are twice as likely to develop it as someone who does not have it in their family history. The best thing to do be aware and make your physician aware of the history.
• Ethnic background: Certain ethnic backgrounds have been proven to develop it more than others. The most at risk ethnic backgrounds are Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, African Americans and Pacific Islanders.
• Exercise: Getting no exercise (which is related to the risk of people who are obese) increases the risk.
• Diet: Having a poor diet that is high in fat and cholesterol increases the risk. This also is tied to obesity.

Ways to Stop Diabetes from Stealing 8 Years

There are many ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle while having diabetes. The following are good practices for taking care of yourself when it comes to diabetes.

• Monitor blood sugar levels with devices before and after eating. Keep a journal of your daily results as well as your activities for the day. This will help a doctor determine how to help you if and when needed.
• Know how to recognize and treat low blood sugar levels. You should know what types of foods trigger it and what to do to get yourself back to normal levels.
• Get routine eye exams. Blindness is associated with diabetes and should be monitored.
• Check your feet daily. Do a thorough scan of both feet each day for cuts, blisters and swelling. They are a significant sign in any complications with diabetes and if problems arise, amputation may be needed. Also, have feet checked at every doctor’s visit.
• Have a plan. Develop a plan to treat changes in glucose levels if you are ill or overly stressed.
• Have a healthy diet. Obesity can increase risk for heart attack along with diabetes.
• Get a flu shot annually. Diabetics are more likely to get sick, which can lead to other problems, the less incidence of sickness is better.
• Have regular checkups with a physician. This also includes getting cholesterol levels checked.

By following some of the guidelines for taking care of yourself while having diabetes can help reduce the risk of developing other health complications. In turn, this will reduce the risk of having your life expectancy decreased.

Sources:
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7384415
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2003.pdf
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes-prevention/DA00127
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/diabetes/basics/347.html#More