Rising Cases of Diabetes in the US
Like an irked whirlwind, diabetes is spreading around its menace in the United States. According to the American Diabetes Association, the number of Americans diagnosed with Diabetes is forecasted to increase to 29 million by the year 2050. Consequently, there will be a surge in the overall impacts of diabetes on the body.
Why Is The Number Of Diabetic Patients Rising In The US?
According to the American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC), every 17 seconds someone is diagnosed with diabetes in the US. Type 2 Diabetes, which pertains to the insensitivity of the cells to insulin and an increase in blood sugar levels, is mounting at an alarming rate.
It is important to look into the unhealthy habits of the Americans that are resulting in a swell in the victims of this chronic disease. It is a disorder that most commonly shows up where there is a lack of physical activity/exercise, unhealthy eating, or the genes that carry it.
Some of the key factors contributing to the rapid increase in diabetes cases in the US are as follows:
What are the Long-term Impacts of Diabetes on the Human Body?
Diabetes haunts people for the rest of their lives with long-term effects (diabetic complications) that cannot be ignored or neglected. Though the damaging effects of diabetes can harm any part of the body, some parts receive more detrimental effects.
Effects of Diabetes on the Kidneys
The risk of kidneys receiving damage due to diabetes is always high due to an increase in blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The condition that occurs due to the damaging effects of diabetes on the kidneys is termed Diabetic Nephropathy, which refers to the deterioration of the normal kidney function.
Effects of Diabetes on the Nerves (Neuropathy)
High blood glucose levels directly harm the nerves by damaging the blood vessels. This induces diabetic nerve pain, also known as neuropathic pain. The effects of nerve damage are generally observed by
- Tingling or numb feet or hands
- Slow metabolism causing delayed stomach emptying
- Sweating more than usual
Effects of Diabetes on Digestion
Diabetes has a direct effect on digestion, especially when it comes to nerve damage. The increased blood sugar level can give rise to a condition called gastroparesis that has a direct effect on digestion. It can provoke nausea, constipation, heartburn, bloating, and diarrhea.
Effects of Diabetes on the Heart
People suffering from diabetes are more at risk of getting chronic heart diseases. The increased blood glucose level when combined with the free fatty acids in the blood can alter the blood vessels which leads to cardiovascular diseases.
Effects of Diabetes on the Eyes
Diabetic patients are prone to get affected by several eye conditions. A prolonged poorly handled case of diabetes gives birth to serious eye conditions termed Diabetic eye diseases. Diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic macular edema, optic neuritis, and diabetic papillopathy are the most common eye diseases included in this group.
The most common symptoms of these conditions include distorted vision, dark strings (floaters), flashes of light, and poor color vision.
How Diabetes affects Vision?
The blood glucose level of a person can augment to an extent where it can cause inflammation of the tissues in the eyes that aid in focusing, causing distorted vision. This distorted vision is a temporary condition that gets back to normal once the glucose level comes down to normal.
However, if the blood glucose level remains high for a prolonged period, the minuscule blood vessels present at the back of the eyes get damaged. Consequently, the damaged blood vessels cause inflammation due to fluid leakage. This leads to the formation of weak blood vessels that cause bleeding into the central part of the eye. The bleeding, therefore, causes scarring and elevates the pressure in the eye.
How is Technology Overcoming these Visual Limitations?
Keeping in view the irreversible damage that diabetes causes to the eyes, technology has been playing a pivotal role in overcoming visual limitations.
The smart use of technology has unveiled numerous low-vision solutions over the years that have been assisting the legally blind community and people with severe eye conditions to see better and lead an independent life.
Some of the remarkable technological inventions that have been aiding the visually impaired community include; electric vehicles, 3-D sound maps, screen readers, braille watches, braille printers, smart canes that detect obstacles with an ultrasonic sensor, and low-vision glasses.