Diabetes Statistics – The Big Picture is Alarming

Over the past few years, the fight against the ‘Aids’ and ‘H1N1′ epidemics has been the primary focus of most world governments and, in the process, has put an equally deadly medical condition on the backburner… diabetes. As diabetes statistics reveal, this potentially life-threatening, disease has long passed the epidemic threshold, with millions of people diagnosed with it, and more than half that number living with it but totally unaware they have it.

What Do Diabetes Statistics Reveal?

As per the diabetes statistics recorded and consistently updated by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), an estimated 18.2 million people in the United States (men, women and children) have been diagnosed with diabetes, accounting for almost 6.3% of the total population. What makes these figures more alarming is that in excess of 6 million people in the US now have diabetes but don’t know it. Moreover, according to an ADA forecast, an estimated 44 million people are likely to contract the deadly, disease in the next 15 years.

What’s Behind The Rising Figures?

Although diabetes statistics are confined only to the number of current and potential diabetics, years of medical research, to determine the underlying causes of diabetes, have zeroed in on a number of possible causes. These causes, attributed to the rapid increase in the number of diabetics, include – genetic or hereditary factors; unhealthy, imbalanced or extra fat-rich diets; lack of exercise; overweight and obesity that is disproportionate to height; high cholesterol; and high blood pressure.

Are People Aware Of The Symptoms?

Unfortunately, a significant number aren’t and this is another major factor which is contributing to the alarming picture painted by diabetes statistics. What’s more, people who do experience some of the symptoms of diabetes usually ignore them owing to a lack of awareness about the crippling, effects of the disease, as well as the startling figures thrown up by diabetes statistics. To those who are unaware of the symptoms of diabetes, they include – persistent hunger or thirst; frequent urination; impaired or blurred vision; sudden loss in weight beyond normal limits; irritability; and increased levels of fatigue with the slightest exertion.

How Harmful Are The Consequences?

In addition to its extremely high psychological and economical price tags, the consequences of undiagnosed or untreated diabetes are many, and they could be totally unnerving to those who aren’t aware of them. Among the harmful consequences of advanced, diabetes are – blindness; amputations; renal (kidney) failure; blood circulatory problems; heart disease; strokes, and more. Here again, failure to seek medical diagnosis early on is contributing to the continuously, growing number of diabetics. According to diabetes statistics, an estimated 200,000 people succumb to diabetes each year in the US alone, and figures in successive surveys have revealed a marked increase in percentage terms, over the past decade.

Is Obesity Fattening Diabetes Statistics?

Yes, going by medical findings and current, diabetes statistics. It is estimated that 90% of all people who are overweight and afflicted with diabetes, are Type 2 diabetics, with the obese or morbidly obese among them accounting for 60%. Obesity levels in the western world have reached an all-time high which are fuelling a staggering increase in the number of people suffering from Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes statistics covering obese people in North America were published by the Loyola University Health System of Chicago in November 2009 and threw up some startling facts. According to the university’s conclusions, the highest growth rate in obesity was among people diagnosed with diabetes. What’s more, this growth rate was found even higher among morbidly obese diabetics.

As alarming as diabetes statistics may be, act swiftly, sensibly and responsibly by having yourself checked at the first signs of diabetes. You owe this to yourself… and to your family.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

David Cowley has created numerous articles on diabetes. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to diabetes and how to treat them. Visit Diabetes Treatment

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