828 Million Individuals Suffering From Diabetes Globally

Over 14% of world population is suffering from DIABETES led by India, China, Pakistan and the US

According to recent research, at least 800 million people are suffering from diabetes globally.

This number reflects an increase of over 630 million in the last three decades alone. The global research done in 1990 showed around 170 million people were suffering from the disease.

Today, the numbers have tripled, with over 14% of the total world population now suffering from diabetes.

More than half of the total cases globally were concentrated in four countries namely Pakistan, India, the United States and China.

The highest increase in diabetes cases were however observed mostly in low income countries in North Africa and the Middle East.

The lowest prevalence for both sexes was recorded in East Africa and some parts of Western Europe, and in Canada and Japan for women.

“The lowest prevalence in the world in 2022 was in western Europe and east Africa for both sexes, and in Japan and Canada for women, and the highest prevalence in the world in 2022 was in countries in Polynesia and Micronesia, some countries in the Caribbean and the Middle East and north Africa, as well as Pakistan and Malaysia,” the report read in part.

Types and Major Causes of Diabetes

First, diabetes is a condition associated with too much blood sugar level in the body.

There are different types of diabetes I.e, type 1 and type 2, and each has different causes, while Type 2 is the most common one.

Most forms of diabetes are lifelong but can be managed through medication and lifestyle changes.

A lot of glucose concentration in the bloodstream cause any type of diabetes though the reasons for high glucose levels in the body differ depending on the type of diabetes one is suffering from.

Major causes include

1. Insulin Resistance: This majorly causes type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is where your liver, and the cells in your muscles cannot properly respond to insulin as needed.

2. Autoimmune disease: This majorly causes type 1 diabetes. It happens when the immune system attacks the cells that produce insulin in your pancreas.

3. Other causes are hormonal imbalance and pancreatic damage: Hormonal imbalance  occur mainly during pregnancy – here, the hormones that cause insulin resistance are released by the placenta.

Early diagnosis is very critical in managing diabetes. The earlier it is diagnosed the better. Also, always seek advice from your doctor to know how to cope with the disease.