PEOPLE LIVING WITH DIABETES TODAY

We wanted to educate you about an issue that is important to us: the disease, diabetes.

According to the National Diabetes Fact Sheet that was released January of 2011, 25.8 million children and adults had diabetes in the United States in 2011. This is 8.3% of the population and includes 18.8 million people being diagnosed and 7 million people going undiagnosed. This fact sheet is the most current fact sheet that is available with hardcore statistics.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, non-traumatic lower-limb amputations, and new cases of blindness among adults” and a major cause of heart disease and stroke in the United States. In the United States, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death. It is also likely that it is underreported as a cause of death. The CDC also notes that “the risk for death among people with diabetes is about twice that of people of similar age but without diabetes.”People Living With Diabetes Today

The total (direct and indirect) cost of diabetes in the United States in 2007 is estimated to be about $174 billion. Also, this means that the “medical expenses for people with diabetes are more than two times higher than for people without diabetes.”

There are a few different types of diabetes – Type 1, Type 2, gestational, and “other types.” Diabetes, in general, is “a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both.” These other types of diabetes are usually from genetic conditions, surgery complications, medications, infections, and other illnesses. These types of diabetes account for 1-5% of the cases.

When someone is diagnosed with diabetes, there are a few ways to treat it. Most importantly, according to the CDC, “diet, insulin, and oral medication to lower blood glucose levels are the foundation of diabetes treatment and management.” In order to help someone with diabetes lead a normal life, it is suggested that a patient educate themselves with the disease and learn about self-care practices. Self-management is one of the most important steps in improving a life that has been diagnosed with diabetes. This includes health eating, being active, and monitoring your blood sugar levels.