HANCOCK - On Saturday, Nov. 14, the world will recognize the third annual World Diabetes Day.

In late 2006, the day was designated by the United Nations as a day to remind people of the seriousness of this chronic, debilitating and costly disease.

The problem is right here in the United States with nearly 8 percent of the population, or 23.6 million people, suffering from the disease. According to the American Diabetes Association, that number is only increasing, as 1.6 million people each year are diagnosed with the disease.

Though the facts are scary, and diabetes can cause major problems, being aware of the disease could save lives.

"Education is the key to successful management of this condition, and there are programs available to help educate," Portage Health Dietitian Katie Rukkila said.

That's what this year's World Diabetes Day is focused on: "Diabetes Education and Prevention."

In the Copper Country, there are numerous opportunities to learn more about the disease, whether from the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, the Aspirus Keweenaw Diabetes Clinic or at Portage Health. Events making people aware of the seriousness are regularly scheduled, such as the Diabetes Night Out hosted by Aspirus Wednesday night, or a presentation sponsored by Portage Health from Terry Wiley, who has lived with the condition for over 20 years.

One of the key things for people to understand about diabetes is the risk factors, which includes having a family history of diabetes, being over the age of 45, being overweight, lacking in physical activities, having low HDL cholesterol or high triglycerides, having high blood pressure, impaired glucose tolerance and/or impaired fasting glucose, being a woman who has had a baby weighing more than 9 pounds or belonging to certain ethnic groups (i.e., non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanic Americans, American Indians).

That does not mean if one fits these risk factors, one will get diabetes, or if one doesn't fit, one will not get diabetes, but it is something worth looking into, especially if one is showing symptoms.

"Some of the common symptoms that indicate the onset of diabetes includes excessive thirst and/or hunger, frequent urination, weight loss, loss of energy, cuts that are slow to heal and blurred vision," Rukkila said. "These symptoms usually have a quick onset for people that are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and have a more gradual onset for people that are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The danger is that people that are experiencing these symptoms from the gradual onset of type 2 diabetes may mistake them for other reasons."

Rukkila suggests people make an appointment with their physician if they're experiencing any of these symptoms, especially if they fit into any of the risk factors previously listed. Often times, the best way for people to avoid getting diabetes is if they perform simple lifestyle changes.

"If people perform lifestyle habits that help to offset (genetics), there is a chance that they will not develop diabetes," said Rukkila. "Even if they do develop diabetes, these lifestyle changes will help to control their diabetes to the best of their ability.

"Some of these lifestyle habits include an appropriate diet, regular physical activity, weight management and stress management."

Unlike many diseases, diabetes will likely never go away and will also mostly likely not directly kill people. Instead, it's often a controlled disease people can live with.

"By learning to control blood sugar levels, we can slow the progress of the condition, meaning that we can decrease our risk for further complications," Rukkila said.

Further complications are often what causes problems for people.

"Diabetes does lead to other conditions due to the damage the high blood sugars cause to the vessels of the kidneys, eyes, heart and the nerves," Rukkila said. "Diabetes itself is not usually the cause of death for most people that have the condition. Over 50 percent of people with diabetes die of heart disease or stroke due to the damage it causes."

Rukkila said she knows the disease can be a challenge, but she's hopeful that people can manage the disease by taking the proper steps.

"The best advice I can give to someone who is scared to find out if they have diabetes is to tell them that it is better to know than not to know," she said. "The reason is because if you have diabetes and you don't know it, the damage is still being done to your body because it can be a silent disease."

"If you take the opportunity to find out if you have it, there are people that can educate you on how to manage this condition so that you will reduce your chances of having the long-term complications associated with diabetes."

Michael H. Babcock can be reached at mbabcock@mininggazette.com.