Diabetes has been a serious issue for Ohioans with an estimated 10.1 percent of adults being diagnosed, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Unfortunately, the presence of diabetes in the state has grown close to 37 percent since 2000. If diabetes continues to grow at this rate in the state, close to 1 out of every 3 adults may develop the health condition in their lifetime; potentially cutting life expectancy by 10-15 years.
Close to 300,000 adults in Ohio may have diabetes and don’t know it.
Lack of management control or when untreated, diabetes may cause serious health-related conditions including kidney failure, heart attack, blindness and amputation of lower extremities. The Ohio Department of Health states that adults in Ohio alone with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to suffer a stroke or heart attack than adults without diabetes.
Diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in Ohio during 2008.
The risk of developing Type 2 increases with age. In Summit County from 2004 -2006 close to 150 people died from diabetes each year. During this time period, many adults over the age of 65 succumbed to the condition.
A 2009 estimate shows that in Ohio, it is estimated that close to 8,000 people under age 20 have diabetes.
There are different types of diabetes that should be researched to learn more about how they affect the body. Diabetes has multiple risk factors including obesity, family history, pre-diabetes and lack of physical activity.
In Akron, residents can get valuable diabetes information and support from Akron General’s Diabetes Center. The center specializes in providing care for diabetics but also offers a wide range of educational services, consultations for individuals to assess their personal health habits, counseling and helpful resources for living healthy with diabetes.
The diabetes center is located at Akron General Medical Center at 400 Wabash Avenue in Akron. For more information contact the Diabetes Center at 330-344-7791.
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