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Diabetes EXPLAINED

Diabetes mellitus (DM), commonly known as diabetes, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased appetite. If left untreated, diabetes can cause many health complications. 

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Acute complications can include diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, or death. Serious long-term complications include cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, foot ulcers, damage to the nerves. Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause health problems. - Wikipedia

The global diabetes prevalence in 2019 was estimated to be 9.3% (463 million people), rising to 10.2% (578 million) by 2030 and 10.9% (700 million) by 2045. The prevalence is higher in urban areas, (10.8%) than rural (7.2%) areas, and in high-income (10.4%) than low-income countries (4.0%).10-Sep-2019.

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There are two types of diabetes: type 1 & type 2. Generally, type 2 is more common. 

Type 1 Diabetes 

  • Most often, testing for type 1 diabetes occurs in people with diabetes symptoms.

  • Doctors usually diagnose type 1 diabetes in children and young adults.

  • Because type 1 diabetes can run in families, a study called TrialNet offers free testing to family members of people with the disease, even if they don’t have symptoms.

Type 2 Diabetes 

  • Experts recommend routine testing for type 2 diabetes if you are aged 45 or older, are between the ages of 19 and 44, are overweight or obese, and have one or more other diabetes risk factors or are a woman who had gestational diabetes. 

  • Medicare covers the cost of diabetes tests for people with certain risk factors for diabetes. If you have Medicare, find out if you qualify for coverage. If you have different insurance, ask your insurance company if it covers diabetes tests.

  • Though type 2 diabetes most often develops in adults, children also can develop type 2 diabetes. Experts recommend testing children between the ages of 10 and 18 who are overweight or obese and have at least two other risk factors for developing diabetes, like a low birthweight, a mother who had diabetes while pregnant with them or any risk factor mentioned in Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes

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