Half Of Americans Who Have Diabetes Don't Know It.

Diabetes is a disease that develops when the body doesn't make enough insulin, or cannot use the insulin it makes. Because insulin is a hormone that moves blood sugar into the cells of the body, a diabetic's cells lack the energy to do their jobs.

Signs of diabetes include:

• Extreme thirst.
• Frequent urination.
• Increased hunger.
• Blurred vision.
• Tiredness or fatigue.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Yeast infections.

Untreated diabetes may eventually result in coma and death. But the good news is diagnosis and treatment is relatively simple. People with diabetes lead long, active lives when they properly manage the disease.

Diabetes is more common among African Americans, Hispanic and Native Americans.

If you're a member of one of these groups, pay close attention to this information.

Some women develop diabetes during pregnancy.

All women between the 5th and 6th month of pregnancy should be tested for gestational diabetes, a condition that affects about four percent of pregnant women.

Many cases of diabetes can be prevented.

Maintaining a healthy weight, eating low-fat foods and getting regular exercise can help you reduce your risk.

Take our test for a quick idea of your risk of diabetes.

It'll only take a few seconds. With the resources of HealthReach and your participation, no one in the Seacoast Region need suffer from diabetes!

HealthReach is a collaboration of area physicians, Exeter Hospital, Rockingham Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice, Lamprey Health Care, Exeter Healthcare, Seacoast HealthNet and Exeter Hospital Associates.

For more information, e-mail healthreach@ehr.org.