What women with diabetes need to know about the disease

Jet, March 8, 2004

With the month of March designated as Women's Health Month, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is reaching out to women to educate them about the illness.

About 9.1 million women in the U.S. have diabetes, a disease that affects the way the body converts food into energy. The prevalence of the disease is at least two to four times higher among Black women than White women.

Women are hit harder by diabetes in a number of ways. For instance, women with diabetes are at greater risk for heart disease and stroke compared with men, the ADA says. Forty-five percent of women have heart disease compared to 39 percent of men.

Also, women with diabetes are more likely to have other risk factors for heart disease and stroke than women without diabetes. These risk factors include high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Women with diabetes also have an increased risk of vaginal infections and complications during pregnancy, according to the American Diabetes Association.

One way for women with diabetes to keep the disease under control and avoid complications is to know their diabetes ABCs.

RELATED ARTICLE: ABCs of diabetes.

A is for the A1C test, the blood test that measures blood glucose sugar over the last two to three months. (Target range: less than 7 percent).

B is for blood pressure. (Target range: less than 130/80).

C is for cholesterol (Target range: LDL (bad) cholesterol less than 100 mg/dl).

In addition to knowing your diabetes ABCs, the following are small changes that women with diabetes can make to help lower the risks for developing heart disease:

* Keep blood glucose (blood sugar), blood pressure and cholesterol numbers within your goal range.

* If you smoke, get help to quit.

* Eat low-fat meals that are high in fruits and vegetables, and whole grain foods.

* Exercise regularly.

* Take your medication and work closely with a healthcare provider to manage diabetes.