10 Percent of the Population Over 30 years Old have Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, as the most common metabolic disease, is considered a serious threat to the world’s health. 250 million people have been diagnosed diabetic in the world.

According to WEBDA, indicated by the Health Deputy of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, as mechanical life becomes common in developing countries, the incidence of type 2 diabetes has greatly increased. World Health Organization has estimated that by 2030, 435 million people will have diabetes, and the prevalence of diabetes in Iran has been estimated as10 percent of the population over 30 years old.

Diabetes is the most common cause of blindness in adults and the most common cause of renal failure, dialysis, and amputation as well.

Insulin deficiency or insulin resistance causes diabetes

Our body needs metabolism to produce energy. Foods we take will eventually turn into a simple sugar, called glucose. Glucose travels through the blood stream, enters our body’s cells, and is used to provide energy and help body growth. If glucose remains in the blood, instead of entering the cells, blood glucose level will increase, leading to diabetes. Insulin deficiency or insulin resistance is the cause of this disease. Insulin is a hormone secreted from pancreas. This hormone causes glucose to enter the cells. Without insulin, it is impossible for glucose to leave blood and enter the cells.

Fasting blood sugar should be less than 100 mg/dl. In people with FBS, it should be equal to or greater than 100 and less than 126 mg/dl in pre-diabetic ones. Having plasma glucose levels equal to or greater than 126 mg/dl in two tests is considered as diabetic.

It is recommended that adults over 30 should be checked every 3 years for diabetes, and pre-diabetic people should be tested once every year for blood glucose level.

Familial history increases the risk of diabetes

Individuals who are overweight or obese, people with a history of diabetes in their father, mother, or siblings, people with maximum blood pressure equal to or greater than 14 and minimum blood pressure equal to or greater than 90, and women with a history of two or more spontaneous abortions (unexplained), stillbirth or delivering a baby weighing four kilograms, women with gestational diabetes history of previous pregnancies, and pregnant women (at any age) are commonly at risk of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is asymptomatic in the early stages

Type 2 diabetes is often asymptomatic in the early stages. Polydipsia, polyuria and overeating are symptoms of the disease. Unexplained weight loss (these symptoms are more common in type I diabetes), delayed wound healing, and blurred vision are considered as other symptoms of diabetes.