The new guidelines
define persons as diabetic if results from their fasting plasma glucose
test on two different days are 126 milligrams per deciliter or higher.
The previous definition, set in 1979, was over 140 mg. The guidelines
also define people with a reading of 99 mg or lower as normal. People
who have a reading of between 100 and 125 are considered in danger of
becoming diabetic as their ability to process glucose is impaired. These
people should be tested more frequently and counseled about ways to
lower their blood sugar level and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Lifestyle changes
to improve blood sugar levels include weight loss or healthy weight
management, increasing exercise, smoking cessation, and the treatment
of high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.
The guidelines have
been revised because researchers find people with readings in the low
to mid 120's developed the following complications: stroke, damaged
blood vessels, kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, and amputation
of feet and legs.
Many people who
have diabetes remain undiagnosed for 7 years or more in which time the
disease can cause irreversible damage to the circulatory system and
organs. It is estimated that each year diabetes
results in 12,000 to 24,000 cases of blindness, 71,000 amputations,
and 224,000 deaths from its complications.
References
American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2000;23(suppl 1);S57-S60.
Garg A. Grundy SM. Diabetes Care. 1990;13:153-16
