Diabetes can be deadly and World Diabetes Day draws attention to what people can do to avoid getting diabetes. The amazing thing about diabetes is that 90%-95% of people have type 2 diabetes and this can be prevented or delayed with lifestyle changes. This infographic from Study Medicine Europe takes you through how we lose 1.6 million lives every year because of diabetes. This figure is expected to almost double by 2030.
Another startling statistic is that 84 million American adults have prediabetes and they need to change their ways before it’s too late. It’s so important to check with your doctor if you have any of the high-risk factors related to prediabetes.
As outlined, the consequences of diabetes can be deadly and amazingly it’s also the leading cause newly diagnosed adult blindness for people between the ages of 20 and 74. It is also responsible for kidney failure in 44% of cases and around 50% of people with diabetes die of cardiovascular disease. It can even lead to a loss of toes, feet or legs with around 60% of nontraumatic amputations to lower limbs being on people with diabetes.
Remember that diabetes can be prevented or delayed by losing weight if necessary, becoming more active, and starting a healthy diet. It’s never too late to change your ways. It’s also very easy to manage diabetes by working with a healthcare professional to find a way of life that works for you. The serious problem occurs is if you have diabetes and don’t manage it. This is where the real problems present themselves and there is plenty we can do in 2017 to ensure diabetics have a high quality of life. They just need to ensure that they maintain a healthy diet and stay active. Find out more information about all things related to diabetes in the infographic.