source: cdc.gov
Type 2 Diabetes is the most common type of diabetes that affects 90 to 95 percent of US diabetes population. As of 2000, at least 171 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, which is roughly 2. 8 percent of the population.
Data from the 2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet (the most recent year for which data is available)
Total: 23.6 million children and adults in the United States—7.8% of the population—have diabetes.
Diagnosed: 17.9 million people
Undiagnosed: 5.7 million people
Pre-diabetes: 57 million people
New Cases: 1.6 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in people aged 20 years and older each year.
Diabetes was the seventh leading cause of deaths in US. In 2004, heart disease was noted on 68% of diabetes-related death certificates among people aged 65 years or older.
• In 2004, stroke was noted on 16% of diabetes-related death certificates among people aged 65 years or older.
• Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about 2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes.
• The risk for stroke is 2 to 4 times higher among people with diabetes.
High blood pressure
• In 2003–2004, 75% of adults with self-reported diabetes had blood pressure greater than or equal to 130/80 mmHg, or used prescription medications for hypertension.
Blindness
• Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20–74 years.
• Diabetic retinopathy causes 12,000 to 24,000 new cases of blindness each year.
Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas that is needed to provide energy by utilizing glucose, protein and synthesis of fat for the body. Type 2 diabetes is typified by high blood sugar levels, that can happen due to an a blend of resistance to the action of insulin and the inability of the pancreas to generate sufficient amounts of insulin.
The symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include: weight loss, excessive thirst, profuse urination, tingling in the limbs, lethargy, continuous infection, cramps. However in some cases, this condition may just be asymptomatic.
It has been seen that Type 2 diabetes affects the more than18 percent of the urban population though its incidence in rural areas is lesser. It is believed that diabetes in countries like India and other developing countries is going up in the next 10 years.
In India, the diabetes capital of the world, it is one of the biggest killers, the trigger being in the form of heart attacks, stroke and serious infections. By the year 2025, India will have the most number of people suffering from diabetes the world. It is estimated that every fifth diabetic in the world is an Indian.
