Health information you can use from your HealthPoint newsletter
Are You at Risk for Diabetes?
Are you 45 or older? Are you overweight or obese? If you answered "Yes" to both questions, you may be at risk for diabetes. Other risk factors include a family history, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.>> Test your risk for diabetes >> Read more at the Diabetes Center
Diabetes is a lifelong medical condition marked by high levels of a sugar called glucose, a source of energy for the body. Insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, moves glucose from the bloodstream to the body's muscle and fat cells. With diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin and/or the muscle and fat cells do not respond to the insulin.
Fatigue, always being thirsty, increased urination, increased appetite and blurred vision are the usual symptoms for diabetes. If you have any of these symptoms, ask your personal physician about having a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test to check for diabetes.
What's the #1 Killer of American Women?
The answer, surprising to many, is heart disease. If you think the answer is cancer or some other medical condition, you're not alone. In a study conducted by the American Heart Association of 1,000 women, only 13 percent knew that coronary heart disease is the greatest health threat for women.
>> Test your risk for heart disease >> Read more at the Heart Disease Center
You can help change this misperception. The first Friday in February has been designated as "Go Red For Women Day" to raise awareness about the risk of heart disease and stroke in women. By wearing your favorite red outfit on February 5, you'll be showing your support for this national movement to educate women about their risk of heart disease.
>> Read more in the February 2010 issue of HealthPoint
