Eight facts about diabetes this World Health Day

Each year, the World Health Organisation selects an area of global health concern that it feels requires further awareness, fundraising and support. This year the organisation has chosen diabetes.

Although not a common disease requiring home care, nursing or support, over its time Kare Plus has cared for many customers who have suffered from the disease and are aware how debilitating it can be for millions of sufferers all around the globe.

To support WHO in its quest to raise awareness of the disease this World Health Day, we have collated eight facts about diabetes that will hopefully improve the understanding and support for sufferers.

1) There are three types of diabetes – Type 1 is caused by a lack of insulin. Type 2 is caused by the body’s ineffective use of insulin. Type 3 diabetes is caused by the body producing too much sugar, commonly referred to as hyperglycemia.

2) 90% of diabetics suffer from Type 2 – It has become so common, in some countries almost 50% of all children diagnosed with diabetes suffer from Type 2.

3) Diabetes is a leading cause of kidney failure, amputation and blindness – With diabetes on the rise in low and middle income countries, the lack of access to suitable healthcare means that kidney failure, amputation and blindness are becoming a common result of diabetes.

4) Type 2 diabetes can be prevented – Regular, moderate exercise and a healthy diet can prevent Type 2 diabetes. To support this, there is a positive correlation between increasing sedentary lifestyles and an increase in Type 2 diabetes.

5) One third of all people with diabetes don’t know they have the disease – in the UK this equates to 590,000 people.

6) Diabetes related deaths are projected to rise by 50% – Over the next 10 years it is projected the number of deaths due to diabetes is set to increase drastically – particularly amongst the middle and upper income countries.

7) 3.9 million people have diabetes in the UK – This figure equates to 1 in every 16 people and has more than doubled in the last 20 years, from 1.4 million people. By 2025, it is expected five million people will suffer from the disease.

8) Diabetes costs between £152m-£266m worldwide

For more information about diabetes, World Health Day or the WHO, click here.

Sources:
http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/diabetes/01_en.html

http://www.joslin.org/info/10_Things_You_Might_Not_Know_About_Diabetes.html