Diabetes and Hypertension – Part 1

Diabetes and hypertension are two major health threats to people throughout the world. Data from the National Diabetes 2011 Fact Sheet indicate that there are 7 million people in the US with diabetes who are undiagnosed. At this time there are over 25 million individuals who have diabetes in the United States alone. Screening for these two particular disorders are large factors in the early prevention and treatment of illnesses that often results in significant negative medical complications. (1)

In some cases diabetes is not found until the sufferer experiences a complication or it is found during a routine screening blood test. However, because of recent media attention and increased education of the middle-aged population, more individuals recognize the signs and symptoms of this progressive disease. If the disease is not recognized until the latter stages, then significant damage may have been done to the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart muscle. These complications are costly financially, emotionally and relationally.

Early detection and treatment for diabetes will help improve the control of blood glucose and improve the control of lipids and blood pressure. Researchers have found that individuals who suffer from diabetes have a greater risk of also experiencing hypertension. (2)

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is another of the major health threats to individuals. Hypertension is the medical term used for high blood pressure which can result from damage to the kidneys, heart, liver and also increases the risk of stroke to the individual.

Individuals who have diagnosis of diabetes or hypertension should be routinely screened for the other condition. Unfortunately people who suffer from hypertension are more likely to experience diabetes than those people who don’t experience hypertension at all.

Screening tests should also be done on individuals who have a family history of diabetes, those who are overweight, those over 45 and those who have known hyperlipidemia, or increased lipids in the blood stream, such as cholesterol.

References:

(1) American Diabetes Association: Diabetes Basics

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/

(2) American Family Physician: Controlling Hypertension in Patients with Diabetes

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/1001/p1209.html

(3) Medline Plus: Glucose Test- Blood

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003482.htm

(4) MayoClinic.com: Glucose Tolerance Test

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/glucose-tolerance-test/MY00145

(5) American Diabetes Association: Living with Diabetes: A1C

http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/a1c/