Diabetes is a disease in which the body cannot effectively regulate blood glucose levels. The patient’s glucose levels can fluctuate dramatically within a few hours. The patient faces health risks if their glucose concentration falls outside the normal range of 70 to 130 mg/dl. If the patient has low blood glucose, the patient might develop short term complications, such as a coma. If the patient has high blood glucose, the patient might develop long term complications, such as kidney or heart failure.
Diabetes has reached epidemic levels around the world. The disease currently affects about 246 million people, which is 6% of the world’s adult population. Each year, 6 million people develop cases of diabetes. Diabetes also causes 3.5 million deaths each year. Diabetes is the largest cause of kidney failure, and it increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
More statistics about diabetes can be found here: http://www.worlddiabetesfoundation.org/composite-35.htm
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
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