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Diabetes, the name may sound a little unfamiliar, but in fact, it has crept into the lives of many people. This disease is not as obvious as a cold or fever, but it can cause serious damage to the body without realizing it, and is known as the "invisible assassin" of the health world. So, what exactly is diabetes? And how does it steal our health quietly?
The "invisible" features of diabetes
The reason why diabetes is called the "invisible assassin" is mainly because its early symptoms are often not noticeable. Many people with diabetes may experience symptoms such as fatigue, thirst, and frequent urination in the early stages, which can easily be overlooked or mistaken for other common problems. In fact, these seemingly harmless symptoms can be an early sign of high blood sugar.
Why are the symptoms of diabetes so insidious? This is because the pathogenesis of diabetes involves problems with the secretion and use of insulin in the body. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body's cells absorb and utilize glucose, and blood sugar levels rise when insulin secretion is insufficient or when cells respond poorly to insulin.
Long-term hyperglycemia can cause damage to multiple systems in the body, but this process is usually slow and painless, so it's easy to overlook.
The global status of diabetes
Diabetes is not only a personal health problem, but also a global public health challenge. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), about 537 million people worldwide have diabetes, and this number is expected to increase to 780 million by 2045.
Even more worrying is the fact that around 240 million people worldwide have undiagnosed diabetes. These undiagnosed patients may have more serious health conditions because they are not treated in a timely manner.
Trends in diabetes prevalence vary from region to region. China, India, Pakistan and the United States are the countries with the highest number of diabetes cases, with more than 30 million cases each.
Diabetes cases in sub-Saharan Africa are expected to increase by 134% by 2045, while the Middle East and North Africa region is expected to increase by 87%. These data suggest that the prevalence of diabetes is not only associated with economically developed countries, but is growing even faster in low- and middle-income countries.
The serious dangers of diabetes
Long-term hyperglycemia can cause serious damage to multiple systems in the body, and complications of diabetes involve multiple organs such as the cardiovascular, kidneys, nerves, eyes, etc.
For example, people with diabetes have a greatly increased risk of heart disease and stroke, mainly due to the damage to blood vessels caused by high blood sugar. High blood sugar thickens and stiffens the walls of blood vessels, eventually leading to atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
High blood sugar can also damage the kidneys, leading to diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes and is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. High blood sugar impairs the filtering function of the glomeruli, leading to the loss of protein from the urine and eventually kidney failure.
The eyes are also one of the victims of hyperglycemia, which can lead to diabetic retinopathy over a long period of time. This lesion can damage the blood vessels in the retina, leading to vision loss and even blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults.
Global diabetes-related health spending is estimated at $966 billion and is expected to increase to $1 trillion by 2045. This economic burden not only affects individuals and families, but also places enormous strain on society and the country's healthcare system.
Prevention and management of diabetes
Although the harm of diabetes is serious, the occurrence and development of diabetes can still be effectively controlled through reasonable prevention and management measures. The first is to maintain a balanced diet, increase your intake of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, and reduce your intake of high-sugar, high-fat foods. A healthy diet not only helps control blood sugar, but it also helps maintain a healthy weight.
Moderate exercise is an important means of preventing and managing diabetes. Moderate aerobic exercise such as brisk walking, swimming, cycling, etc., at least 150 minutes a week can effectively lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
Regular check-ups are also an important measure for early detection of diabetes. By regularly testing blood glucose, blood pressure, blood lipids and other indicators, the signs of diabetes can be detected in time, and early intervention measures can be taken to prevent the condition from worsening.
Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol is also an important measure to prevent diabetes. Both smoking and excessive alcohol consumption increase the risk of diabetes, and quitting smoking and limiting alcohol can not only help prevent diabetes but also reduce other health risks.
As a silent epidemic, diabetes is spreading at an alarming rate, bringing a heavy health and economic burden. Through early screening, health education, and lifestyle interventions, the morbidity and mortality of diabetes can be effectively reduced.
Finally, what experiences and insights would you like to share? Feel free to leave a message in the comment area!
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- World Economic Forum. (2021). Diabetes is a silent epidemic, killing nearly 7 million of us every year. Retrieved from [World Economic Forum](https://www.weforum.org)
- Southeast Georgia Health System. (2022). American Diabetes Day Raises Awareness of