Finding Out That Your Parent Has Diabetes
Broadcast Dates: Monday, January 17 – Sunday, January 23
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Discovering that an aging parent has a serious disease is tough. Just ask our listener, Peggy Lewis, who learned that her mom had type 2 diabetes:
“When she first had an episode, before we even knew she had diabetes, you know, we had gone out for a regular day of shopping, lunch, touring. And she got faint and had to sit down and almost passed out, and it was very frightening. And we took her to a doctor and they said, ‘Have you ever been tested for diabetes?’ And it turns out she had it and didn’t know it.”
Hi, I’m Dr. Griffin Rodgers, bringing you Healthy Moments from the NIH. I’m the Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Like Peggy’s mom, one out of 4 people with diabetes don’t know they have it. Symptoms of diabetes, such as unusual thirst, frequent urination, and blurred vision, are often dismissed. Early diagnosis and treatment can decrease a person’s chance of developing serious complications.
For more information, visit our website at NIDDK or MyMajicDC.com . This is Dr. Griffin Rodgers. Join me next week for more “Healthy Moments.”
Page last updated: February 23, 2011