OCR Text |
Show Judy Martin, Chairman of the newly-formed Moab unit of the American Diabetes Association, looks on as Mayor W. D. McDougald completes signing proclamation designating November as Diabetes Month here and urging citizens to protect themselves by supporting the efforts of the association. The proclamation notes that about 325 people in Moab have diabetes, that the disease and its complication are the third leading cause of death, and that it is possible to have the disease and not know it. Over SO Diabetes Victims In Moab, Report Says Fifty people in Moab have diabetes and are not yet aware of it, according to Judy Martin, Chairman of the American Diabetes Association's Associa-tion's 1976 campaign in Moab. The estimate is based on statistics disclosed by the National Commission on Diabetes Diab-etes in its report to Congress last December. Mrs. Martin went on to say that diabetes is now recognized recogniz-ed as the third leading cause of death in the U.S. but most people are unaware of its seriousness or of its warning signs. Recognition of the warning signs is particularly important because early diagnosis diag-nosis and good control with diet and medication (usually insulin) can often postpone the serious complications of the disease. Juvenile-onset diabetes, the more severe form of the disease, usually strikes adolescents adoles-cents and young adults and is characterized by the sudden appearance of: Constant urination Abnormal thirst Unusual hunger The rapid loss of weight Irritability Obvious weakness and fatigue fa-tigue Nausea and vomiting It is especially important for parents to be able to recognize these signs because they appear suddenly and a child can go into a diabetic coma just days or even hours after the symptoms first appear. Adult-onset diabetes is milder and more gradual in its appearance. As a result it can go undetected for years while it causes its damage to the system. It usually occurs between the ages of 35 and 60 and the most common signs are: Drowsiness Itching A family history of diabetes Blurred vision Excessive weight Tingling, numbness, pain in the extremities Easy fatigue Skin infections and slow healing of cuts and scratches The American Diabetes , Association recommends an' immediate visit to your doctor if any of these symptoms should appear. People in the high risk groups overweight, over 40 or with a family history of diabetes should be tested for diabetes at least once a year. |