New estimates predict the number will more than double, rising from 529 million in 2021 to more than 1.3 billion in 2050.
No countries will see declines in their diabetes rates over the next 30 years. The findings were published in The Lancet and The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journals.
“Diabetes remains one of the biggest public health threats of our time and is set to grow aggressively over the coming three decades in every country, age group and sex, posing a serious challenge to healthcare systems worldwide,” said Dr Shivani Agarwal, of the Montefiore Health System and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.
Around 90 per cent of diagnoses are of type 2 diabetes, which puts people at risk of developing serious complications.
The research authors wrote: “Type 2 diabetes, which makes up the bulk of diabetes cases, is largely preventable and, in some cases, potentially reversible if identified and managed early in the disease course. However, all evidence indicates that diabetes prevalence is increasing worldwide, primarily due to a rise in obesity caused by multiple factors.”
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a condition that causes the level of sugar in the blood to become too high, caused by problems with the body’s level of insulin.
It can lead to potentially serious problems such as:
- heart disease or stroke
- nerve damage
- foot sores and infections
- partial sight or blindness
- miscarriage and stillbirth
- kidney problems
What’s the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
People with Type 1 diabetes don’t produce insulin, whereas people with Type 2 don’t respond to insulin as well as they should and later don’t make enough insulin.
Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 per cent of cases, which is linked to obesity and overall poor health.
Type 1 diabetes makes up 10 per cent of cases, and is neither preventable nor reversible.
What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
Research suggests an experimental diabetes drug that suppresses appetite could prove to be a powerful weapon against obesity
/ PAMany people develop the condition without realising. However, some of the symptoms to look out for include:
- peeing more than usual, particularly at night
- feeling thirsty all the time
- feeling very tired
- losing weight without trying to
- itching around the genitals or repeatedly contracting thrush
- cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
- blurred vision
Why is it linked to heart attack and stroke?
Studies suggest that type 2 diabetes greatly increases the risk of heart attack or stroke.
This is because people with the condition may develop a number of conditions, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, which contribute to their risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
The British Heart Foundation has said that the diabetes epidemic could lead to a 29 per cent increase in heart attacks and strokes linked to diabetes.
How is type 2 diabetes treated?
Once you’re diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you will usually be offered metformin tablets first, which work by reducing the amount of sugar your liver releases into your blood.
If your blood sugar levels don’t lower within three months, you may need another medicine.
A Meditteranean diet is supposed to help prevent type 2
/ ShutterstockOver time, you may find you need a combination of medicines to treat the condition.
There is a range of diabetes medication available, so speak to your GP who can advise you on what treatment is right for you.
A healthy diet and keeping active will also help manage your bloodsuga r levels.
