Diabetes is swiftly becoming one of the largest health issues in the United States. With today's concern over the cost of medical care, it is well worth considering that the average medical expenditures for those patients diagnosed with diabetes are 2.3 times higher than for those without diabetes. The total cost of caring for and treating patients with diabetes in the United States in 2012 exceeded $245 billion dollars, an increase of 41% in the 5 years since 2007 when the last study was done.
Nerve disease caused by diabetes is the leading cause of amputation of toes, feet, legs, hands and arms in the United States.? Foot problems are the most frequent reasons for hospitalization of people with type 2 diabetes.? Though diabetes accounts for over 60% of amputations, doctors estimate that nearly half of these amputations caused by neuropathy and poor circulation could have been prevented by careful foot care.
It is the leading cause of blindness
It is the leading cause of kidney disease
It is related to heart disease on the majority of diabetes related death certificates
67% of people with diabetes have high blood pressure
65% of diabetics have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage
And, depending on the research quoted, between 60 and 72% of amputations in the U.S. are caused by diabetes or other vascular disease.
As of 2012: 25.8 million men, women and children in the U.S. have diabetes, that's 8.3% of the entire population
79 million people in the U.S. have pre-diabetes
27% of people over 65 years are diabetic
These statistics are all higher for African-Americans
According to the CDC, roughly 1 in every 10 adults over 20 is now diabetic, and if the current annual increase continues, that number could be 1 in 3 by 2050.
What Can I Do?
Reasons for the increase in diabetes include our aging population, the racial makeup is changing, and our population ,in general, is obese due to a change in our eating habits and the types of foods we consume. Nearly two thirds of adults and one third of children and adolescent Americans are overweight or obese.
Diet
Excess consumption and decreased activity are the major causes of weight gain. Sedentary adults tend to eat 500 ? 800 calories more per day than is needed for maintenance. At that rate, they will gain between 1 and 1 ? pounds per week. Crash diets and fad diets are not helpful. Most people return to their old habits and soon regain their lost weight. A carefully planned diet that emphasizes portion control, calorie counting and an intake of fresh foods, including a balance of fruits and vegetables, is the most successful strategy.
Exercise
Combining proper eating habits with a structured exercise routine will ensure that you are doing everything you can to combat not only weight gain, but also a multitude of other diseases. A healthy diet and exercise contribute to a healthier lifestyle and an improved mental outlook, and help slow down or decrease the effects of the aging process. So that you're aware of any limitations you may have, always consult your physician before starting an exercise program. You can find several suggested types of physical exercise in the "Sports & Exercise" page in our "Lifestyle" section.
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