Diabetes means that you have too much of the sugar called glucose in your blood. Diagnosing diabetes is remarkably easy and cheap. Simply have your fasting blood sugar level measured. If the fasting blood glucose level is between 100 and 125 you have pre-diabetes. If the fasting blood glucose level is 126 mg/dl or greater, then you have diabetes. The key problem with having this extra blood sugar is that over time it damages the arteries and leads to early heart attacks and strokes. Diabetes can be treated with wide range of pills and shots, but for most diabetics the best treatment is simply loosing weight, exercising more and avoiding foods and drinks made with sugar. You'll find the basics at FamilyDoctor.org with additional information at the American Diabetes Association website. Download MP3 file This podcast first aired on April 21, 2006.
