May 20, 2009 6:21 pm US/Eastern
Many People With Diabetes Go Undiagnosed
PITTSBURGH (CBS) ―
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Fear of treatment, or fear of complications keeps a lot of people from getting diagnosed. (File)
CBS
About 23 million Americans have diabetes, according to government health surveys that include blood tests which can pick up the condition.One one in four doesn't even know it, CBS station KDKA-TV reported.
If the disease goes undiagnosed and untreated, however, diabetes patients could risk blindness, kidney failure or heart attack.
Still, people are anxious to get tested, either because they are afraid or don't feel it's a risk.
"Unconsciously, they feel they can do what they've always done, and hope that things work out," says Dr. Tony Farah at Allegheny General Hospital.
"It's human nature, it's very hard to convince someone who feels fine
that they need to take a pill all of a sudden just because a blood test
shows something," Farah said.
Symptoms like fatigue, thirst, and frequent urination may not show up until you've had the disease for many years and by then the damage has started, health experts say.
After fasting, blood sugar -- also called blood glucose -- should not be higher than 100. Another test called glycosolated hemoglobin can be done to check the long-term blood sugar, and should not be much over 6.
If your blood sugar is high, cut down on carbohydrates and add exercise to help your body process sugar more efficiently. If you take these steps and your blood sugar stays high, there is medication.
A diabetes patient might be started on a pill if fasting blood sugar is over 125. Insulin shots generally won't be started until your blood sugar is still high even with two types of pills for diabetes, along with a high long term blood sugar test.
Obesity and genetics play a role in getting diabetes, KDKA-TV reported.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
CBS News Interactive: Healthwatch
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