Beware diabetes, the Silent Killer

By Henry Pacheco

Many Latinos have learned to "put up" with diabetes, and have lost the fear or concern that should be associated with this disease.

We may fear cancer, heart attacks, accidents and violence, but not diabetes. Meanwhile, silently, diabetes causes many of the deaths and disabling conditions suffered by many Latinos each year.

We rarely hear of anybody's dying of diabetes, because it seldom kills directly.

However, diabetes damages the blood vessels that irrigate and nourish all of our organs and, as a result, those vital and delicate organs - such as the heart, kidneys, brain and eyes - suffer significant damage which leads to heart attack, kidney failure with the need for dialysis or transplant, stroke and blindness.

Equally bad is the damage to the small nerves of the body, resulting in loss of sensation and wounds on the feet, with the ultimate consequence of amputations. For the most part, disability, incapacity and premature death are the result of uncontrolled diabetes.

The most important issue is what we can do to protect ourselves from diabetes. We can do much toward preventing or postponing the onset of diabetes if we eat in moderation, avoiding meals high in fat, high in simple sugars and other carbohydrates (such as white bread, pastas, rice) and high in calories.

Our meals should include more vegetables, using "wild rice", wheat bread, and meals high in fiber and, above all, should be in moderate amounts. Exercise is another very important protection against diabetes; all it takes is brisk walking for 30 minutes daily or at least four times per week.

Latinos who already know they have diabetes must make every effort to be under care of a health care professional. Diabetes is often referred to as the "silent killer."

One cannot wait until symptoms appear - by then much damage may have occurred.

It is important to see a physician so that a meal and exercise plan can be established along with the necessary medications and other treatments to control diabetes and prevent further damage.

Today one in 10 adult Latinos has diabetes; worse yet one in four Latinos over 65 years of age is afflicted with diabetes. To stop this disease we need to start with our children.

We have to start changing our attitude that it is good for infants and children to be provided meals and other foods without control, thereby becoming overweight.

Overweight children soon grow into adolescents and adults with serious health problems, including not only diabetes but also hypertension and heart disease.

We don't have to be passive victims of diabetes. There is much we can do to protect ourselves, our families and our children.

Exercise, eating moderate low-fate low-calorie meals, avoiding becoming overweight, avoiding smoking and using alcohol in moderation are all ways to prevent diabetes and, if diabetic, seeking good medical care is imperative to controlling the disease.