The Silent Killer
There are about 40 million people in India who have diabetes.
While an estimated 60% have been diagnosed, unfortunately,
millions of people are not aware that they have the disease.
Each day approximately 2,200 people are diagnosed with diabetes.
Diabetes and its resultant complications are a leading cause of
death (sixth-leading cause of death by disease) in India. Diabetes
is a chronic disease that has no cure. India does not
have an effective screening program for diabetes, nor does
a vast majority of the Indian population go in for regular
health check ups, in absence of a pathology.
Diabetes,especially type
2 can go unrecognised for many years,in the
abscence of checkups.Lack of control due to
non-identification
predisposes the tissues to constant and unchecked damage, which
may not be revealed until it is too late.
Many people first know that they have diabetes when they develop
one of its life-threatening complications.
Blindness
Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in
people aged 20-70yrs. Each year, around 12,000 to 24,000 people
lose their sight or have serious vision impairment because
of diabetes.
Kidney Disease
Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease,
accounting for about 30% of new cases.
Nerve Disease
About 60-70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to
severe forms of diabetic nerve damage.
Amputations
Diabetes is the most frequent cause of non-traumatic lower
limb amputations. The risk of a leg amputation is 15-40 times
greater for a person with diabetes.
Heart Disease and Stroke
People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to have
heart disease,and they are 2 to 4 times more likely to suffer
a stroke.
Direct and Indirect Costs of Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most costly health problems in America.
Health care and other costs directly related to diabetes treatment,
as well as the costs of lost productivity, run $98 billion
annually. More on the Costs of Diabetes.
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