Incidence of Diabetes in the United States

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According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by high levels of blood glucose, due to defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. Being a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the USA, a study conducted in 2007 by the center of disease control (CDC) on State-specific incidences of diabetes showed that diabetes cases have increased significantly in the USA, due to genetic, behavioral, aging and lifestyle factors (Bergmann & Bornstein, 2008).

Mr. Charles Ds lifestyle and current marital developments are major factors predisposing him to develop diabetes. He is a professional with a busy schedule. This explains a possibility of a sedentary lifestyle. In addition, the divorce might have inflicted psychological depression, a predisposing factor to diabetes. The symptoms he is exhibiting indicate a possibility of having acquired diabetes type2. Being a busy professional, Mr. D might tend to find no time for healthy practices such as exercise and a healthy diet.

The rate at which new incidences of diabetes are being reported is alarming. According to National Diabetes Statistics in 2007, the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes in the United States, all ages in 2007 was 23.6 million-7.8% of the population up from 16 million people in 1998. The study showed that 17.9 million people were diagnosed and 5.7 million undiagnosed (Bergmann & Bornstein, 2008).

Incidences were also dependent on age where new cases among people aged 20 years or older in the United States in 2007 were 23.5 million people or 10.7% of all people in this age group. 60 years or older were 12.2million people or 23.1% of the age group. Based on gender, 12.0 million men or 11.2% of all men aged 20 years or older had diabetes, 11.5 million women or 10.2 % of all women aged 20 years or older had diabetes. 14.9 million Non-Hispanic whites or 9.8 % of its population aged 20 years or above had diabetes and 3.7 million Non-Hispanic blacks or14.7% of non-Hispanic blacks aged 20years or above had diabetes (Bergmann & Bornstein, 2008).

According to the study, it is therefore evident that other than genetic and lifestyle factors, age and race play a significant role in diabetes incidences. Some of the general signs and symptoms include frequent urination, numbness in the limbs, dry skin and bruises taking longer to heal, sudden weight loss, fatigue, and blurred vision, and too much thirst (Knol & Twisk, 2006).

As diabetes progresses, the human body functions are severely affected leading to several complications. High blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nervous system disease, dental disease, and amputations may result (Knol & Twisk, 2006).

Patients like Mr. D require a knowledgeable health care team of professionals to offer medication as well as psychological counseling and encouragement due to possibilities of depression as a result of the disease. Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes face major changes in lifestyle and the possibility of debilitating and life-threatening complications (Knol & Twisk, 2006).

References

A. Bergmann, and S. R Bornstein (2008). Perspectives and challenges to undertake diabetes prevention in clinical practice. The American Journal of Diabetes & Vascular Disease.

Knol MJ, Twisk JWR (2006). Depression as a risk factor for the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A meta-analysis. Diabetologia.

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