LIHU‘E — Welcome to the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet: Nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes and an estimated 79 million adults have prediabetes, a condition that meets some but not all of the silent killer’s diagnostic criteria. On Saturday,
LIHU‘E — Welcome to the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet: Nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes and an estimated 79 million adults have prediabetes, a condition that meets some but not all of the silent killer’s diagnostic criteria.
On Saturday, a group of medical professionals will be hosting Community Awareness in Lihu‘e, a free indoor event aimed at raising awareness about diabetes in the community by educating the public about the symptoms of diabetes and how to manage the chronic disease.
The event, which will be held at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, will offer free diabetes screening from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., as well as a blood pressure check, vision testing and a free lunch.
For accurate screening, it is recommended to fast for at least 8 hours before being tested.
A snack will be provided after the initial bloodtest. A second blood draw will be taken two hours later. Participants will receive their test results before leaving.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that as many as one in three U.S. adults could have diabetes by 2050 if current trends continue.
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death and can lead to permanent disability and poor health. People with diabetes can experience numerous serious and deadly complications, including heart disease and stroke, blindness, chronic kidney disease and amputations.
The risk for stroke is two to four times higher among people with diabetes. Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about two to four times higher than adults without diabetes.
Women who develop diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes) have a 35 to 60 percent chance of developing Type 2 diabetes in the next 10 to 20 years.
Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20-74 years. It is also the leading cause of kidney failure, accounting for 44 percent of new cases in 2008.
More than 60 percent of leg and foot amputations not related to accidents and injuries were performed on people with diabetes. In 2006, that amounted to 65,700 amputations.
Type 2 diabetes, in which the body gradually loses its ability to use and produce insulin, accounts for 90 to 95 percent of cases.
Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include older age, obesity, family history, having diabetes while pregnant, a sedentary lifestyle and race/ethnicity.
Kauai Diabetes Today (KDT) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that is sponsored by Kaua’i Medical Clinic, East Kaua’i Lions Club, Medical Reserve Corps and Wilcox Memorial Hospital.
The Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall is located at 4191 Hardy St. in Lihu‘e. Handicapped access is available.
For more information, call Beverly Nagano at 647-4160.
• Laurent Canalejas, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 241) or lcanalejas@thegardenisland.com.
