One serious health care issue facing South Carolina is Diabetes. It's widespread in our state and a leading cause of death.
South Carolina ranks in the top ten for percentage of population with Diabetes. Much of the reason for that has to do with our state's lifestyle, one that's not very healthy.
Frank Majewski has had Type II Diabetes for six years and thinks there may be many reasons why he got it. "Some of it's hereditary, some of it comes down to diet, some of it comes down to inactivity."
Majewski admits the condition spiked after he moved to Myrtle Beach and enjoyed eating out a little too much.
Dietician Mary Ellen Scarborough hears that a lot. She leads a diabetes management program, helping educate people about the blood sugar disorder. At the top of her list for reducing the risk of diabetes - get up off the couch. "Type II Diabetes is usually weight and physical activity, and a lot of people who retire don't get that activity that they did before."
If you're older than 45, overweight, have a family history of Diabetes and don't get much physical activity, you're at high risk. And Scarborough says the diet in this state is a real problem. "People in South Carolina don't eat rice, we overeat rice. We don't eat dry beans and peas, we overeat dry beans and peas. We overeat pasta, we overeat potatoes."
Frank Majewski knows what could happen if he doesn't manage his condition. "Your kidneys are gonna go, your eyes are gonna go, your feet are gonna go."
So he's keeping his Diabetes under control with medication and diet, and plans to start an exercise program soon. "It's a good possibility if I lose weight and exercise I can probably cut back on some of my medication, so I think I'm finally motivated to do it."
Diabetes can be managed and it is possible to lead a very normal life with the disease.
But dieticians say, it's better to eat well, get plenty of physical activity and avoid getting it in the first place.
For more information about diabetes, click here. http://www.scdhec.gov/health/chcdp/diabetes/
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