Are You at Risk for Diabetes?

One in four If you’re over the age of 60, those are the odds that you have diabetes, which can cause serious medical problems for your eyes, ears, kidneys, nerves and feet. For example, hearing loss is twice as common for seniors with diabetes. There’s also an increased risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. With diabetes, your body does not make enough insulin or does not use it well. Insulin “unlocks” your cells so they can absorb glucose, a sugar that provides your body with the energy it needs. In people with diabetes, too much glucose stays in the blood. An estimated 105 million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes, an indication that you’re on the path to diabetes. Testing The most common way to diagnose diabetes or prediabetes is the Fasting Plasma Glucose Test. It’s a simple [...]