El Paso surpasses national average in diagnosed diabetes

EL PASO, Texas ( KTSM ) – November is Diabetes Awareness Month and health officials are reminding the community to protect themselves against the chronic disease.

According to the CDC , 11.6 percent of the U.S. population has diabetes. Health officials say the Borderland surpasses that statistic.

"Here in El Paso, 15 percent of the population has diabetes. So, we are even like above the national average," Luis Carlos Ortiz, a specialist in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism said.

There are different types of diabetes: Type 1 is usually associated with children and teens and Type 2 is the most common.

Some of the risks of Type 2 diabetes include age, weight, diet, and family history of diabetes.

"Early symptoms could be increased thirst, and increased urination, especially at night. Patients will wake up at night, frequently to go and urinate. Also, some people tend to gain weight and be more hungry. Also, it might affect the vision. People start complaining of blurry vision. Double vision," Ortiz adds.

The El Paso Center for Diabetes works with people to understand their diagnosis and come up with a plan of action.

"We have dietitians on board that can help you. Do proper nutrition and of course, for prevention, changing your lifestyle, which one of them is eating healthier. So, you will be taught many things about diabetes," Araceli Trevino, a registered dietitian with the El Paso Center for Diabetes said.