Cholesterol, diabetes screening Nov 12 & 20

WOODSTOCK Ill. — In honor of National Diabetes Month, McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) will offer screenings on Tuesday, November 12, from 6am-9am, at its Crystal Lake office, 100 N Virginia Street and on Wednesday, November 20, from 6am-9am, at Alden-Hebron High School, 9604 Illinois Street.  Appointments are required at 815-334-4536.  The cost is $35.   

The screening requires a 12-hour fast and includes total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure with cardiovascular and diabetes prevention education.    

Nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports another 79 million adults have pre-diabetes, a condition that increases their chances of developing Type 2 diabetes.  If left undiagnosed or untreated, diabetes can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and even death.

The American Diabetes Association states medical expenses attributable to diabetes in Illinois total $8.98 billion.  Risk factors include age, family history, women who had had gestational diabetes, lack of physical activity, being overweight and tobacco use. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by losing weight and by being more physically active. Symptoms may include increased thirst, increased hunger, blurred vision, fatigue, increased urination or slow healing sores. 

Get the facts about diabetes. Visit the American Diabetes Association http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/?loc=GlobalNavDB for more information.

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“Working to prevent disease and promote health and safety for all people of McHenry County since 1966.”