Diabetes – Incidence and Cost Continue to Grow

Fueled partially by the increase in obesity and sedentary lifestyles, the diabetes rate has climbed, now affecting an approximately 7 percent of the population. According to the American Diabetes Association, an estimated 20.8 million adults and children suffer from the disease.

Federal projections state that 48 million Americans will have Type 2 diabetes by 2050. Untreated, the disease can cause complications such as blindness, hearing loss, kidney disease, problems with the nervous system, and possible amputation of extremities.

The increase in diabetes affects everyone in this country, whether or not they suffer from the disease. According to an article by Cheryl Fassler, M.D. on Tennessean.com, 1 out of every 5 health care dollars is spent caring for someone diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is costing Americans $174 billion annually, a figure that has increased by 32 percent since 2002, according to a study commissioned by the American Diabetes Association.

Though the news is not good, the battle is not lost according to medical professionals. Dr. Sue Kirkman, vice president of clinical affairs for the American Diabetes Association said, "The statistics are pretty gloomy, but we also know people who are at risk for diabetes can do a lot to prevent it from coming on. There's a lot people can do to try and control their fate.

There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 is the result of the body not being capable of producing insulin. Type 1 diabetes is not preventable and is usually diagnosed before the age of 30. Type 2 diabetes is preventable. Early testing can diagnose "pre-diabetes" blood glucose levels that are high, but are not yet at the diabetic stage. There are several risk factors involved in a predisposition to diabetes:

• Obesity-particularly excess weight around the belly.
• Poor diet-too many starchy, sugary foods and not enough fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• A sedentary lifestyle-increases insulin resistance, contributes to obesity and reduces muscle mass.
• Heredity-having a close relative with Type 2 diabetes increases the risk, though that does not conclusively predict the disease. The right diet and lifestyle can overcome the hereditary risk.
• Ethnicity-some ethnic groups are at higher risk for Type 2 diabetes.
• Blood lipids-high triglycerides and low HDL are signals of possible diabetic problems.
• High blood pressure-along with weight gain and high blood sugars frequently signal the same metabolic imbalance found in diabetes.
• Age-the risk of diabetes increases with age.

Heredity, ethnicity and age cannot be changed, but all other risk factors for diabetes can be overcome with a lifestyle that will contribute to the overall health of an individual. Talk to your health care professional, have your blood sugar tested, and take control of your health.