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October 28, 2002
Contact: Angela Kelleher,
College of Nursing News Bureau, 509/324-7218,
writers@mail.wsu.edu
National American Diabetes
Month: According to Intercollegiate
College of Nursing/WSU College of Nursing
Associate Professor Ruth Bindler the majority of
people with diabetes, and nearly all of those who
go undiagnosed, have type 2 diabetes. With this
form of the disease the body does not produce
mnenough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin.
Diabetes, commonly associated with aging, is
increasingly being diagnosed in younger adults
and even children. Young adults from 30-39 years
are now at high risk. Type 2 diabetes can usually
be managed, and its symptoms can subside with
intervention to promote health. In some people,
injected insulin or oral pills are used
initially. In many cases, after some change in
lifestyle, the disease can be managed without
medication. Intercollegiate College of Nursing/WSU College of Nursing Assistant Professor Cindy Corbett adds the signs of diabetes include intense thirst, urinating often, and losing weight without trying. The following characteristics are risk factors for diabetes: being overweight, getting little exercise, being over age 65, having high blood pressure, a family history of diabetes or having diabetes during pregnancy. The American Diabetes Association affirms 17 million people in the United States have diabetes and diabetes continues to rank as the fifth deadliest disease in the U.S. While an estimated 11.1 million persons have been diagnosed with diabetes, 5.9 million people are unaware they have the disease. If you have any signs of diabetes or two or more risk factors, talk with your health care provider immediately for more information and testing. For assistance in reaching Corbett, corbett@wsu.edu or Ruth Bindler, bindler@wsu.edu contact Angela Kelleher at the College of Nursing, 509/324-7218, writers@mail.wsu.edu. November 21 Great American Smokeout Day: November 21, millions of smokers are expected to quit for the day or for much longer, especially if they use modern cessation methods. According to Intercollegiate College of Nursing/WSU College of Nursing Professor Margaret Bruya cigarette smoking is the #1 cause of preventable, premature disability, disease and death in the U.S. The decision to quit smoking is one of the most impacting decisions smokers can make for improved health. The benefits of quitting begin immediately. For instance, within 24 hours of quitting individuals will experience lower blood pressure and a decreased risk for heart attack. The American Cancer Society maintains, an estimated 47 million U.S. adults are smoking and each year one in five deaths in this country are smoking related. Great American Smokeout Day challenges people to stop using tobacco and raises awareness around the many effective ways and reasons to quit for good. Smokers who set goals and a quit date in advance are more likely to permanently kick the habit. For assistance in reaching Bruya, bruyam@wsu.edu contact Angela Kelleher at the College of Nursing, 509/324-7218, writers@mail.wsu.edu. National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month: The Alzheimer’s Association says approximately four million Americans are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. With the average lifetime cost per patient reaching $174,000, neither Medicare nor most private health insurance organizations cover the long-term care most patients need. According to Intercollegiate College of Nursing/WSU College of Nursing Assistant Professor Bronwynne Evans, the search for modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's and early detection of the disease has been intense. The three risk factors for the disease are unchangeable age, family history, and presence of a specific genetic trait called APOE epsilon 4, a lipoprotein found throughout the body and has been linked to increased risk for cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. However, new data shows that high levels of a specific amino acid in the blood appear to increase a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest that, for the first time, there may be a way to identify people who are at increased risk for the disease and initiate treatment. For assistance in reaching Evans, evansb@wsu.edu contact Angela Kelleher at the College of Nursing, 509/324-7218, writers@mail.wsu.edu.
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