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| |  Diabetes and the Holidays: More is at Stake than Your Waistline KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 13, 1996 -- The start of the year-end holiday season brings with it the temptation to abandon healthy nutrition habits. In fact, this urge is perhaps at its highest during the excitement of holiday meals and gatherings. Unfortunately, for the approximately 16 million Americans who have diabetes, the holidays are a time to be especially vigilant about watching their diet and avoiding an overabundance of rich foods and sugary desserts. Many Americans have heard about diabetes, or even know someone who has it. But not everyone is aware of what diabetes is, or that it is a chronic disease that has no cure. Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism, meaning it affects the way the body handles food for energy and growth. According to the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, it is the sixth leading cause of death by disease in the United States, and about 1,700 new cases are diagnosed every day. Despite the prevalence of the disease and the severity of its complications, one major problem diabetes presents is that about half of the people affected are not aware that they have it. In fact, to combat this problem, the U.S. government and other agencies work continuously to promote greater understanding of diabetes, its symptoms, and its consequences. For example, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), symptoms of diabetes can include increased urination and thirst, blurred vision, tingling or numbness in the lower legs and feet, and fatigue. The NIH also reports that cardiovascular disease is two to four times more common in people with diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults 20 to 74 years of age. And more than half of lower limb amputations in the United States occur among people with diabetes. According to James R. Gavin III, M.D., Ph.D., senior scientific officer at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Md., this latter problem is often the result of a complication of diabetes known as peripheral arterial disease, or PAD for short. "About 45 percent of people diagnosed with diabetes develop PAD," Dr. Gavin says. "PAD results from a restricted blood supply, usually to the legs and feet. Depending on the degree of blood-flow impairment, even casual walking can become limited by cramping and pain in the hip, leg, foot, or calf. This pain is a symptom called intermittent claudication and is caused by oxygen-starved muscles going `on alert.' While leg pain may not have the life-threatening consequences of heart attack, it can significantly affect one's ability to perform even the most basic daily tasks." Another health issue related to diabetes is obesity. People who are overweight are at increased risk of developing diabetes, as well as PAD. "Fortunately," Dr. Gavin says, "many of the treatment strategies for controlling diabetes are the same for treating PAD: physical activity, proper diet and nutrition habits, weight control, and medication, if needed." Additional recommendations on diabetes treatment from the NIH emphasize control of blood glucose through blood glucose monitoring, and attention to relevant medical and psychosocial factors. In many patients, oral medications and/or insulin injections are also required for appropriate glucose control. Treatment of diabetes is an ongoing process that is planned and regularly reassessed by the health care team, the person with diabetes, and his or her family. Patient and family education are important parts of this process. "Remember," Dr. Gavin adds, "if you have symptoms of diabetes, such as increased urination, thirst, blurred vision, fatigue, or leg pain, it's vital to be checked by your physician and follow his or her advice. Don't leave yourself at risk of further complications by ignoring the symptoms and allowing this disease to progress." Hoechst Marion Roussel, a world leader in pharmaceutical-based health care, is dedicated to extending and enhancing human life through the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of pharmaceutical products. Hoechst Marion Roussel, with global headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, and North American headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., is a member of the Hoechst Group.
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