VETERANS AND DIABETES

 

 

Diabetes is a national problem, nearly 16 million Americans, or 6% of the US population, have diabetes. Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or when cells do not use insulin properly.

 

PREVALENCE OF DIABETES II IN VETERANS

 

The rate of diabetes among VA patients -16% plus is MUCH higher then the general popularion.Nearly all veterans with diabetes are men, 2.4% are woman. The largest group is over 65 years of age. Many people with type II diabetes have few or no symptoms. If symptoms occur, they may develop over a period of time and may include.

•Increased hunger and thirst

•Frequent urination

•Fatigue

•Blurred vision

•Dry, itchy, skin

•Unexplained weight loss

 

 

POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES

 

•Blindness or vision impairment

•Amputations

•Heart Disease (including hardening of the arteries)

•Stroke

•Nerve damage ( such as in the feet causing loss of feeling and damage leading to amputation)

•Kidney failure

•Premature death

 

TYPES OF DIABETES

 

•Type 1 (previously called insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or juvenile onset diabetes) in which the body does not make insulin

•Type II (previously called non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or adult onset diabetes) in which the body does not react to insulin normally. Type II accounts for 90-95 percent of all diabetes cases.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

•Vietnam veterans exposed Agent Orange

•Age most often adults over 45 years old.

•Over weight 80% of people with diabetes are overweight.

•High blood pressure.

•Not physically active

•Have family history of diabetes

•African American , Hispanic American, American Indians, Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders

 

COMPENSATION

 

On July 8 2001 the VA began presumptively service connecting veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam or in inland water ways. In some cases veterans who served in some units on the DMZ in Korea during the Vietnam War.

 

WHEN FILEING FOR COMPENSATION REMEMBER TO INCLUDE ANY SECONDARY CONDITIONS THAT MAY BE RELATED TO DIABETES AND RESTRICTIONS TO DIET AND ACTIVITY

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For more information call 502-384-5346 for the foundation or contact your State Department of Veterans Affairs.

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KEN MOORE VSO

NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICER