Diabetes is an 'epidemic of unprecedented severity' and experts fear that covid could make it worse.

Epidemic of unprecedented severity

World Diabetes Day 2021 is celebrated in the context of serious statistics. According to recent figures released by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), one in 10 adults worldwide - approximately 537 million people - are currently living with diabetes.

By 2024, the IDF predicts that the number of people with diabetes is expected to rise to 1 in 8 adults.

"As the world marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, I wish we could say that we have stopped the rising tide of diabetes," IDF President Dr. Andrew Bolton told CNN. "Instead, diabetes is currently an epidemic of unprecedented severity. As of 2021, approximately 7 million adults worldwide have died of diabetes or its complications, according to the IDF estimates - more than 1 in 10 global deaths due to any cause.

It does not count the deaths from the novel corona virus, which has been shown to be particularly deadly in people with diabetes. A study published in February found that having type 1 or type 2 diabetes tripled the risk of serious illness and death from Covid 19.

Dr. Robert Gabe, chief scientific and medical officer of the American Diabetes Association, said, "And if you want another shocking statistic, 40 percent of people who die from cod 19 in the United States have diabetes.

Bolton, who is also a professor of medicine at the University of Manchester in the UK, said the epidemic also affected how well people had managed their diabetes over the past year and a half.

"My fear is that we are going to see a tsunami in the next two years of diabetes and its complications because people have lost their screening appointments for fear of catching Quaid 19," he said.

Is Covid a Stimulus for Diabetes?

As bad as this number is, experts are concerned that CoVID-19 could contribute to an even bigger problem.

Gabe told CNN, "Codex can cause more people to develop diabetes. Bolton echoed that concern: "There may be a certain type of diabetes that is affecting the quadriceps, although there is some debate at the moment. A global analysis published in 2020 found that 14% of hospital admissions with severe covid 19 later developed diabetes. Another study published this October found new examples of type 1 or type 2 diabetes in children, adults and children infected with Covid 19.

It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post

It is possible that CoVID-19 may not be the culprit. Gibby said blood sugar abnormalities can be caused by the stress of the infection and the steroids used to fight inflammation of Covid 19.

Another explanation is that the person may have pre-diabetes - according to the American Medical Association and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are currently about 88 million Americans. Organizations have partnered with Aid Council to create a new public service campaign: "Do I have pre-diabetes? People can also have diabetes that has not been diagnosed before. The IDF estimates that approximately half (44.7%) of the 537 million adults living with diabetes worldwide are still undiagnosed.

But there is also evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes Covid 19, may be linked to ACE2 receptors in pancreatic island cells - the organ that produces insulin in the body, Bolton said. And Gabe told CNN.

"The virus attacks these pancreatic cells and interferes with their insulin production, so this is another mechanism," Gabe said. "And people who have been diagnosed with diabetes for the first time in a hospital, by any means, are sadly getting worse. Early identification is key.

Early detection is needed to reverse the growing incidence of diabetes. Treatment of type 2 diabetes is preferred in the early stages of diabetes, as it is before the body begins to be damaged by irregular blood flow and lifestyle changes are easier to implement.

Bolton said a study in Finland a few decades ago found that people with a "very modest increase in blood sugar" who followed a balanced diet and exercised regularly had a 54% chance of developing type 2 diabetes. There was a decrease, "Bolton said. "And he didn't have to flog himself in the gym," he added. "It's a smart exercise, walking instead of getting on the bus and climbing stairs instead of taking the elevator, it can be a trick.

Two recent studies have found that adding a cup of fruit or vegetables to your daily diet can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 25%, while whole grains such as brown bread and oatmeal can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Excessive use of can reduce this disease. Risk 29%.

With diet, exercise and stress reduction and proper use of medication, even diabetes can be completely forgiven, Gabe said.

"People with remission may still be at risk of some long-term complications, and therefore, they still need monitoring, quarterly blood tests, annual eye and foot tests, and kidney disease. And annual screening for cholesterol levels, "he said. The American Diabetes Association has a 60-second online test to determine if you are at risk for type 2 diabetes. After answering a few questions about family history, age, sex, and physical activity, the test is answered.

Being over 60, being overweight, having gestational diabetes, a family history of diabetes, currently living with high blood pressure, and lack of physical activity all increase your risk.