Do you know if you’re at risk for diabetes? Nearly 1 in 4 adults who are living with diabetes are unaware that they have the disease. With diabetes affecting about 30.3 million Americans, the sooner you know the risk, the sooner you can take steps to prevent or manage it. So how do you know if you’re at risk? The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has created a diabetes risk test, which is a series of questions to asses your risk level for Type 2 diabetes.
The Diabetes Risk test asks the following questions, all of which are also covered during a routine eye exam. Importantly, a dilated exam by an eye doctor can detect diabetes before you show symptoms.
Age
The older you are, the more you’re at risk. People over the age of 45 are at a higher risk of diabetes.
Sex
Men are more likely than women to have undiagnosed diabetes. According to the NIDDK, one reason may be that they are less likely to see a doctor regularly.
Family History
If you have a family history of diabetes, you could be at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can contribute to the risk of type 2 diabetes
Physical activity
Being inactive can also increase the risk for type 2 diabetes
Race/Ethnicity
Certain racial and ethnic groups including African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, and Alaska Natives are at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Your height and weight contribute to your overall BMI. People with higher BMIs are at a higher risk.
A Dilated Eye Exam Can Detect Problems Early
If there is a problem, your eye doctor is sometimes the first to detect any changes to your health. Diabetes can negatively affect your eyesight, even causing vision loss if left untreated. This is why annual eye exams are so important. You can schedule your next eye exam online at drtavel.com