Hispanic-Americans Are at
High Risk for Diabetes

Nearly every week, family practitioner Jose Sanchez, MD, diagnoses type 2 diabetes in another patient. Most of them are already experiencing telltale symptoms, such as increased hunger and thirst, fatigue or even kidney or vision problems.

Many of them share another common trait: a Hispanic heritage.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, more than 10 percent of Hispanics/Latinos ages 20 and older have been diagnosed with diabetes. And despite the sobering statistics, Dr. Sanchez says that most patients wait until they're feeling sick to get their blood sugar tested and get treatment.

"It's unfortunate," he says. "Diabetes is a preventable illness. Even if you're at risk or have a family history, you can delay or avoid it altogether by controlling your weight, keeping physically active and making healthy food choices." Once someone is diagnosed with diabetes, it can't be cured. It can be managed, though.

"We have many oral medications that can help the body use insulin more effectively, but patients must also change their lifestyles," Dr. Sanchez says. "This can be a challenge and an opportunity. For one of my patients, a 55-year-old Hispanic man, a diabetes diagnosis was just the motivation he needed to lose weight, lower his blood pressure and get his blood sugar under control. Today, he's feeling better than he has in years."

To schedule an appointment with Jose Sanchez, MD, please call Direct Doctors_SM Plus at 1-800-882-4362.

Meet MARTTI^TM! Translation Technology Helps Bridge Language Barriers

Do you speak English as a second language? Corona Regional Medical Center's MARTTI^TM (My Accessible Real-Time Trust Interpreter) videoconferencing system provides real-time translation services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Interpreters on standby speak as many as 150 languages, including Spanish. American Sign Language interpreters are available for hearing-impaired patients.

What Is Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90 to 95 percent of all diabetes cases, occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it makes effectively. Insulin is a hormone manufactured by the pancreas that helps convert food into energy.

800 South Main St., Corona, CA 92882