Health Watch 10: Focusing on Diabetes

WABASH VALLEY, Ind. (WTHI) - Tuesday's Health Watch 10 focuses in on diabetes.

Right now, there are 26 million children and adults in the United States dealing with diabetes.

Diabetes is when there are high levels of sugar in the blood. Symptoms of high sugar levels include:

• Blurry vision
• Excess thirst
• Fatigue
• Hunger
• Urinating often
• Weight loss

Some of this can be through genetics, but most of the time, the on-set of diabetes is due to an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise.

People with diabetes also need to watch out for other conditions: such as kidney and heart disease and stroke.

They also may have issues with their eyes.

"Diabetes is responsible for blindness. In fact, it's the leading cause of blindness in this country for people that are less than 75," said Dr. Edward Rico, an endocrinologist at UAP Clinic in Terre Haute.

Symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, weight gain or loss, high blood pressure and several other factors.

If you think you might have diabetes, or diabetes runs in your family, talk with your physician about ways you can eat more healthy, exercise more or incorporate different medications into your routine to keep your blood sugar levels in check.