Sa nir Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller What Are the Early Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes? Dear Savvy Senior, What are the early signs and symptoms of diabetes? I’m 60 years old, and in pretty good shape, but was just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. What did I miss? Diabetic Dan Dear Dan, The signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be so mild that many people miss them. That’s why testing is so important. Here’s what you should know. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention more than 38 million Americans have diabetes today, and another 97 million have prediabetes, but many of them don’t even know they have it. Type 2 diabetes is a disease that develops slowly over decades. Most people have prediabetes for a long time before the disease becomes full-blown diabetes, and even then, it progresses gradually. Diabetes occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. This excess blood sugar damages blood vessels and aff ects circulation, putting you at risk for a host of ailments, from heart attack and stroke to blindness, kidney failure and nerve damage. Signs and Symptoms So how can you tell if you have diabetes? The earliest signs, which are usually subtle, including urinating more frequently (often at night), being thirster and hungrier than usual, weight loss without trying, feeling very tired, having dry itchy skin and blurry vision. And the symptoms that can indicate advanced diabetes and long-term damage has occurred includes cuts or sores that heal slowly, having more infections than usual, and pain or numbness in your feet or legs. Who Should Get Tested? Because prediabetes typically causes no outward symptoms, and the signs of early type 2 diabetes can easily be missed, the only way to know for sure if you have it is to get a blood test. Everyone age 45 years or older should consider getting tested for diabetes, especially if you are overweight with a body mass index (BMI) above 25. See CDC.gov/bmi to calculate your BMI. If you are younger than 45 but are overweight, or have high blood pressure, a family history of diabetes, or belong to an ethnic group (Latino, Asian, African or Native American) at high risk for diabetes, you should get checked too. To help you determine your risk for diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has a quick, online risk test you can take for free at Diabetes.org/ risk-test. Diabetes Tests There are three diff erent tests your doctor can give you to diagnosis diabetes. The most common is the “fasting plasma glucose test,” which requires an eight-hour fast before you take it. There’s also the “oral glucose tolerance test” to see how your body processes sugar, and the “hemoglobin A1C test” that measures your average blood sugar over the past three months. It can be taken anytime regardless of when you ate. Most private health insurance plans and Medicare cover diabetes tests, however, if you’re reluctant to visit your doctor to get tested, an alternative is to go to the drug store, buy a blood glucose meter and test yourself at home. They cost around $20. If you fi nd that you are prediabetic or diabetic, you need to see your doctor to develop a plan to get it under control. In many cases lifestyle changes like losing weight, exercising, eating a healthy diet and cutting back on carbohydrates may be all you need to do to get your diabetes under control. For others who need more help, many medications are available. For more information on diabetes and prediabetes or to fi nd help, join a lifestyle change program recognized by the CDC (CDC.gov/diabetes-prevention). These programs offer in-person and online classes in more than 1,500 locations throughout the U.S. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. nior ior THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, AugusT 30, 2024 EVENTS | FROM PAGE 9 use with our drama coach! Suggested ages: six to 14. Story Time Adventures with Mrs. McAuliffe: Parlin Craft Room, Thursday and Friday, September 5 & 6 at 11:00 a.m. Join Mrs. McAuliff e for our enchanting Story Time! You will be whisked away on magical adventures through the pages of your favorite books. Bring a friend or make a new one in our circle of friends. Fluency Fun Fridays! Parlin Children’s Room, Friday, September 6, at 3 p.m. Level up your fluency game! Join Mrs. Page 23 McAuliff e for an afternoon of fun board games like Scrabble and Bananagrams, word searches and crossword puzzles. Suggested ages: fi ve to 12. Mixed-Media Crafts: Parlin Children’s Room, Saturday, September 7, at 10 a.m. Enjoy learning and develop your imagination! Recommended for ages four to 12. Registration is required; sign up online. This program is funded by the Everett Cultural Council. Shute Adult and Teens Resume Writing: Shute Adult Department; book a one-onone resume assistance appointment at the Shute Library and let a librarian help you craft a resume tailored to your strengths and aspirations. Sign up for a 30-minute session at the Shute Library; by appointment only; please email shuteinfo@noblenet.org or call 617-394-2308. Computer Basics 101: Shute Adult Department. Tech Newbie? No Problem! Learn to power up, click around, type like a pro, explore the digital world and even send your fi rst email. Book your Friday adventure with technology today! By appointment only; please email shuteinfo@noblenet.org or call 617-394-2308. CITY OF EVERETT PUBLIC HEARING FOR PETITION FROM MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY D/B/A NATIONAL GRID OF NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS To all parties interested in the public hearing. Be it hereby ordered: Massachusetts Electric Company d/b/a National Grid of North Andover, Massachusetts requests permission to construct a line of underground electric conduits, including the necessary sustaining and protecting fixtures, under and across the public way or ways hereinafter named. The following are the streets and highways referred to: WR. # 30855998 - School Street - National Grid to install underground facilities on School Street beginning at a point approximately 20 feet North of the centerline of the intersection of School Street and Cabot Street and continuing approximately 10 feet in a Northerly direction. National Grid to install approximately 10’ of 2-4” conduit from existing pole #1574-1 to private property to provide a permanent underground service at 535 Second Street in Everett, MA. Wherefore it prays that after due notice and hearing as provided by law, it be granted permission to excavate the public highways and to run and maintain underground electric conduits, together with such sustaining and protecting fixtures as it may find necessary for the transmission of electricity, said underground conduits to be located substantially in accordance with the plan filed herewith marked: School Street - Everett - Massachusetts. Hearing to be held with the Everett City Council, held on Monday at 7:00PM, on the 9th of September, 2024 at the Everett City Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, Everett City Hall. August 30, 2024 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER FACEBOOK.COM/ADVOCATE.NEWS.MA
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