For Diabetics, Health Risks Fall Sharply

     According to the New York Time's this article depicts the progress against some of the most devastating complications of diabetes, which affects millions of Americans, finding that rates of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and amputations fell sharply over the past two decades.The biggest declines were in the rates of heart attacks and deaths from high blood sugar, which dropped by more than 60 percent from 1990 to 2010, the period studied. The number of Americans with diabetes more than tripled over the period of the study and is now nearly 26 million. Nearly all the increase came from Type 2 diabetes, which is often related to obesity and is the more common form of the disease. An additional 79 million Americans have pre-diabetes, which means they are at high risk of developing the disease. An estimate that diabetes and its complications account for about $176 billion in medical costs every year. (The study measured outcomes for both Type 1 and Type 2).

     Doctors are much better now at controlling the risk factors that can lead to complications for example, using medications to control blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure health experts said. The study relied on large sample sizes, including hundreds of thousands of diabetics who had heart attacks, and thousands who died from high blood sugar. Beyond the declines in the rates of heart attacks and deaths from high blood sugar, the study found that the rates of strokes and lower extremity amputations  including upper and lower legs, ankles, feet, and toes fell by about half. Rates for end-stage kidney failure dropped by about 30 percent.

     It is interesting that the researchers noted that heart attacks had declined substantially for the general population as well, where the same factors were at work. But while people without diabetes saw a 31 percent decline since 1990, those with it experienced a 68 percent drop. Doctors are putting more emphasis on controlling blood pressure and cholesterol  major risk factors for heart disease and strokes  than on lowering blood sugar,because cardiovascular disease is what kills most people with diabetes. Although the progress, experts said there were still too many people with severe complications, often because they do not take care of the disease. People with Type 2 need to check their blood sugar regularly, take medications and watch their diet. This is easier said then done, being a healthcare professional I do believe Doctor's and hospitals settings are taking the initiative to help patients and guide them to the sources they need for the  right care.
    
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140415153737.htm