To help contend with the rising incidence of type II diabetes in the United States the American Diabetic Association has launched a new prevention initiative – CheckUp America. The goal of the program is to help people recognize and lower their risk for type II diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and empower them with tips for making modest lifestyle changes. It is estimated that up to 50% of people with diabetes and even more experiencing disease-precursor values are unaware of their risk. The concept of the program is to expand awareness and education starting with regular physician checkups. CheckUp America will hopefully encourage people to identify their risk factors and become aware of their individual health status. The program intends to help people realize the effects of common risk factors which include being overweight, smoking, high blood glucose, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol among others, and equip individuals with the information and tools to live a longer, healthier life.

Personal Trainers should assist in managing clients’ health, which starts with knowing the risks and identifying criteria which warrant attention. Three common characteristics associated with the development of diabetes include older age, obesity (particularly visceral storage), and lack of daily physical activity. The symptoms of diabetes are subtle, which explains why so many people do not know they have the disease. Research suggests that the earlier the detection of diabetes the better the disease can be managed and the fewer complications. Addressing the risk factors before they manifest into a disease state is very important in addressing and preventing full development. Symptoms of diabetes may include:

• Excessive thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Frequent urination
• Slow healing cuts and sores
• Numbness, tingling or burning sensations in hands or feet
• Unexplained weight loss
• Increased fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Swollen joints

Initial client screening should look for these signs and symptoms. Likewise, it is important to look at pre-existing conditions and family history. Personal Trainers are the first line of defense and should encourage their clients to regularly schedule medical exams. CheckUp America is a great start to reaching national health goals.

Prediabetes

The state when the body’s regulation of glucose allows for elevated levels of circulating sugar above normal levels. In general, a fasting blood glucose level of 110 mg/dl is a criterion measure for prediabetes. The disorder is recognized by impaired fasting glucose (100-125 mg/dl), eventually leading to impaired glucose tolerance. This is identified when glucose has been ingested and remains in circulation above normal levels. Research suggests that early stages of damage to the circulatory system and heart occur within a prediabetic state.

Type I diabetes

Also known as insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, type I diabetes is an auto immune disease often detected in early childhood, where immune cells damage the beta cells that naturally produce insulin in the pancreas. Due to destruction of the endocrine cells the body does not produce insulin, resulting in the need for insulin injections. Type I diabetes represents between 5 to 10% of all diabetic cases.

Type II diabetes

When the body can no longer manage blood glucose due to insulin resistance or insufficient production of insulin causing fasting glucose levels to reach 126 mg/dl of blood a person is diagnosed with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, or type II diabetes. This form of diabetes represents about 90% of all cases and occurs in response to genetic predisposition, obesity, physical inactivity and poor diet and lifestyle behaviors. In some cases, insulin is required while in others cases different pharmacological interventions are used to manage the disease in conjunction with lifestyle changes and exercise.

Gestational diabetes

During pregnancy metabolic adjustments associated with hormones in the placenta can cause insulin resistance. The disorder occurs in about 4% of pregnancies and predisposes the mother to an increased risk for the development of type II diabetes later in life.

Insulin resistance

When cells in the muscle fat and liver do not use insulin properly it forces the pancreas to produce more insulin to reduce blood glucose levels. This places a strain on the beta cells and eventually leads to an imbalance between production and demand causing blood glucose to remain high. When glucose in the blood is not removed it can damage the circulatory system.