A new study has found something very worrying about diabetes, a disease that affects how the body uses sugar. The study says that almost half of the people who have diabetes don’t even know it! This means they are living with the disease but are unaware of it, and that can lead to serious health problems if it is not treated.
The study looked at health data from more than 200 countries and territories around the world. It found that about one in nine people globally have diabetes. Out of these, 44% of people aged 15 and older are living with diabetes but have never been diagnosed by a doctor.
Lauryn Stafford, who led the study at the University of Washington, said, “It is a very alarming number.” She explained that if people don’t know they have diabetes, they are not getting the care they need. This can cause serious damage to their body over time.
The rate at which people are diagnosed with diabetes is not the same everywhere. For example, in Canada, about 85% of people with diabetes know they have it. But in many other countries, fewer people are aware of their condition.
The main reasons for this difference include:
Lack of healthcare access: Some people live in rural areas or poorer countries where it’s hard to visit a doctor or get regular tests.
Not enough doctors or medical equipment: Some places don’t have enough doctors or blood tests to check for diabetes.
Financial problems: People who cannot afford medical care may avoid going to the hospital.
Lack of awareness: Many people don’t know the risks of diabetes or the need for regular checkups.
The research also found that young people are even less likely to be diagnosed. Only about 20% of youth with diabetes know they have it.
Dr. Hertzel Gerstein, a diabetes specialist, said that diabetes is usually more common as people grow older. In Canada, around 10 out of 100 adults over 20 have diabetes, and one in five people over 65 are affected.
However, he warned that diabetes is also increasing among younger people. A recent study in Canada showed that among people aged 20 to 29, about 50 to 150 out of 100,000 are getting Type 2 diabetes each year — and this number is growing quickly.
Most countries suggest that adults aged 35 or older should get tested for diabetes regularly. In Canada, people 40 years and above should be checked at least once every three years. But other factors, like family history or being overweight, can also increase the chances of getting diabetes earlier.
Dr. Gerstein added that doctors should look for “yellow flags,” or warning signs, when deciding if someone should be tested, especially younger people.
Some of these warning signs are:
A strong family history of diabetes
Being overweight, especially with extra fat around the stomach and face (called abdominal or apple-shaped obesity)
Belonging to certain ethnic groups such as South Asian, North African, or Indigenous communities in Canada, where diabetes is more common at younger ages
Diabetes is dangerous because it often shows no symptoms in the early years. Dr. Tom Elliott, the medical director at a diabetes center in British Columbia, explained that for the first five years, diabetes can quietly damage the body without any obvious signs. During this time, it can harm the nerves, kidneys, eyes, and blood vessels.
If diabetes is left untreated, it can lead to serious problems such as:
Kidney disease
Heart problems and stroke
Mental health issues
Nerve damage, which may cause infections or even lead to limb amputation
Even though diabetes can be silent at first, some symptoms might still appear. These include:
Feeling unusually thirsty
Needing to urinate frequently
Blurred vision
Gaining or losing weight without reason
Laura O’Driscoll, a senior policy expert, said these symptoms might also be signs of other illnesses, so it’s important to look at all symptoms together and confirm through a blood test.
Experts say that blood tests are the best way to find out if someone has diabetes. One test doctors often recommend is called the HbA1c test. This test shows how much sugar is in the blood over the last three months. It helps doctors see if someone is at risk of developing diabetes or if they already have it.
O’Driscoll advised people to ask for this test during regular checkups, especially if they feel worried. It’s a simple way to keep track of health and catch diabetes early before it causes harm.
Even if you are young, it’s a good idea to know your risk factors and ask for testing. Diabetes can be managed and treated, but only if caught early. People should not wait for symptoms to get worse or assume that they are healthy just because they feel fine.
Doctors and researchers agree that spreading awareness about diabetes and encouraging regular health checkups can save many lives.
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