Whether you have diabetes or not, it’s important to be aware of the facts behind the disease, so you know what you’re facing. Knowing the facts about diabetes can help you manage the disease if you have it, and prevent its development if you don’t.
Check out these ten facts about diabetes from the World Health Organization to learn more about this global health threat:
- Diabetes is often directly linked to obesity, physical inactivity, and rapid weight gain.
- Deaths related to diabetes are currently projected to increase over the next decade.
- Type 1 diabetes is a lack of insulin production, which is typically diagnosed at a young age. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by the body’s inability to regulate insulin and can present at any age, but is most common after the age of 45.
- Type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1, making up for more than 90 percent of diabetes cases around the world.
- Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common in children and young adults.
- Gestational diabetes, a third type, is caused by spikes in blood sugar during pregnancy and usually resolves after delivery.
- In 2005, an estimated 1.1 million deaths were attributed to diabetes.
- Eighty percent of deaths from diabetes are in low- and middle-income countries.
- Lack of awareness and poor healthcare lead to increased cases of amputations, blindness, and kidney failure from diabetes.
- Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by a healthy diet and regular physical activity.
Are you a person with diabetes and in need of a foot examination, or do you have a foot emergency? Call Kansas City Foot Specialists today to schedule an evaluation at (913) 338-4440, or request a consultation online so we can work with you to keep your feet healthy.
