What is Diabetes?

If you have found your way to this page it is probably because you are searching for everything there is to know about diabetes. Knowledge is power. You have questions and you need answers to have power over this chronic disease.

The diseases which are listed under Diabetes Mellitus are many with the most common being Type-1 diabetes and Type-2 diabetes. These are diseases of the metabolic system and involve the body's ability in metabolizing sugar using the hormone insulin. Insulin helps the cells use the simple sugar glucose which is needed for repair, growth and energy.

In Type-1 diabetes, the body produces little or no insulin so those with this type of diabetes need to be on insulin therapy for their entire lives. Before 1924 Type-1 diabetes usually ended with dead after a couple of years but with the advent of insulin those who have this disease are now able to manage this chronic condition. Type-1 diabetes is also known as juvenile diabetes because those who have this type of diabetes are usually diagnosed with it between the ages of 9 and 15 years of age.

With Type-2 diabetes, the body produces plenty of insulin but cells are unable to use it. This type of diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and although it used to normally develop in older adults, Type 2 diabetes is now developing at all ages. Major risk factors for Type-2 diabetes are unhealthy diets, little or no exercise and being overweight or obese. There is currently a world wide epidemic of Type-2 diabetes which researchers believe is being driven in many areas because of sedentary life styles revolving around computers, video games, television and fast foods. Fast food restaurants are now in every corner of our world.

Diabetes in the US

Currently in the United States 7.8% of the population or around 23.6 million people have diabetes with 5.7 million being undiagnosed. Most of those diagnosed have Type-2 diabetes and are usually 45 years of age or older. But this snapshot is changing as more children and adolescents are increasingly being diagnosed with this type of diabetes.

Studies show that the most common complication of Type-2 diabetes is cardiovascular and it is also the most costly complication at a cost of approximately $7 billion of the $44 billion annual direct medical costs for diabetes. This figure is from 1997 and many estimate that these figures could have doubled by now.

Diabetes in India

As of 2000 it was estimated that 171 million people globally suffered from diabetes or 2.8% of the population. Type-2 diabetes is the most common type worldwide.

Figures for the year 2007 show that the 5 countries with the largest amount of people diagnosed with diabetes were India (40.9 million), China (38.9 million), US (19.2 million), Russia (9.6 million), and Germany (7.4 million).

Currently, India is the diabetes capital of the world. It is estimated that over 40 million of those with diabetes are currently in India and that by 2025 that number will grow to 70 million. In other words, 1 in every 5 diabetics in the world will live in India. Diabetes is the number one cause of kidney failure, is responsible for 5% of blindness in adults and 1 million limb amputations.

Because of the chronic nature of diabetes, the relentlessness of its complications and the means required to control both diabetes and its complications; this disease is very costly, not only for affected individuals and families but also for the healthcare systems. Studies done in India estimate that for a low income family with an adult having diabetes, as much as 25% of the family's income may need to be devoted to diabetes care.

Stress also seems to be a greater risk factor in India for diabetes. It is important to de-stress according to each one's disposition - for example spending quality time with friends and family, Yoga, breathing exercises, walking, meditation, aerobics and other fitness regimen can ward off diabetes.

Preliminary findings of a recent study in India among school children in the higher socio-economic group in Chennai showed child obesity is growing higher and girls were found to be disproportionately "heavier" than boys.

Stopping the Epidemic

It is really fairly simple - medical professionals believe that turning off the TV and computer and going outside to walk or exercise will go a long way to stopping this epidemic. Other suggestions include cutting calories in diets, snacking on whole grain and high-fiber foods, avoiding smoking and alcohol, exercising regularly and getting stress levels under control are pro-active ways to keep this diabetic epidemic from continuing to grow.