Kathy Sigler
Interim Campus President
Medical Center Campus
Miami Dade College
Preventing the Sweet Killer!
The majority of us know at least one person who suffers from diabetes, and thus the nature of this illness and its consequences are not unknown to us. The American Diabetes Association informs that there are close to 21 million diabetics in the United States, and, even more startling, is the fact that out of those almost 21 million, 6.2 million are unaware that they have the illness. That is why I cannot emphasize enough the importance of regular screenings -- and that is why glucose screening will be one of the services provided at our upcoming Community Health Fair on February 16th at our Medical Center Campus.
Diabetes can become a serious illness, and its consequences could include blindness, heart disease, nerve damage, and kidney damage. Last week I met with a hospital dialysis technician, who informed me that a growing number of his patients were requiring dialysis three times a week, mostly as a result of complications from diabetes.
Having said that, I should also add that many people with diabetes can live healthy, long, and happy lives as long as they carefully monitor their blood sugar, eat appropriate meals and snacks, and exercise regularly. "Glucose screening will be one of the services provided at our upcoming Community Health Fair on February 16th at our Medical Center Campus."In addition to early detection through screening, I would like to emphasize the importance of prevention. The American Diabetes Association tells us that, in addition to genetics, obesity and lack of exercise could be factors that cause diabetes; therefore, paying attention to controlling our weight and exercising regularly could be beneficial in preventing this illness. Read on for more information on preventing the “Sweet Killer!”
This issue of The Healthy College Newsletter will cover in more depth the issues of diabetes detection and prevention, together with other areas which should be of interest to all of us.