Diabetes in America
It has been just over 100 years that insulin was discovered. Before insulin was discovered, people with diabetes did not have much of a chance to live a long healthy life. The road has been a long bumpy journey in reducing the toll diabetes has taken on people’s daily lives. Although we have made great strides, the fight has not come to a conclusion.
Almost everyone knows someone with diabetes. Whether it is a friend, family member or even yourself, it is a disease that can turn your world upside-down. However, it diabetes does not have to win! The best way to prevent or manage any harmful health condition is to be informed. Knowing the facts, stats and impacts of diabetes can help you lead the charge and regain control of your life.
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Most people’s bodies naturally produce the hormone insulin, which helps convert sugars from the food we eat into energy that the body can use or store for later. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make insulin or doesn’t use its insulin well, causing your blood sugar to rise. High blood sugar levels can cause serious health problems over time.
Over 37 million Americans or one out of ten have diabetes. Another 96 million American adults have prediabetes. Chances are someone in your household has or will have diabetes.
Diabetes and diabetes-related health complications can be serious and costly. The seventh leading cause of death in the United States, diabetes costs a total estimated $327 billion in medical costs and lost work and wages. In fact, people with diagnosed diabetes have more than twice the average medical costs that people without diabetes have.
Diabetes can take a serious toll on your quality of life, affecting your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. But though there is no cure for diabetes, there are things you can do to manage it and its health complications. And if you have prediabetes, there are things you can do to help prevent it from becoming type 2 diabetes.
If you suspect you have diabetes or prediabetes, check with you doctor or healthcare professional to join the fight. Together, we can win this battle!