1.2 million Bavarians suffer from diabetes

Over a million Bavarians have diabetes

05/17/2014

In Bavaria, up to one million patients are treated for diabetes. Another 200,000 people suffer from the „diabetes“, without knowing it. The Ministry of Health now wants to draw attention to the topic in an action year and inform about risk factors.

Many do not know about their illness
In Bavaria, up to one million patients are due to the so-called „diabetes“ treated. Another 200,000 people estimate diabetes without knowing it. This emerges from the first Bavarian Diabetes Report, which Health Minister Melanie Huml (CSU) presented on Friday in Nuremberg. Therefore, the Ministry wants to draw attention to the topic this year with numerous actions and to inform about risk factors, such as too little exercise and poor nutrition. Diabetics are often affected by eye, kidney or cardiovascular diseases. According to Huml, diabetes costs the healthcare system in the Free State up to € 2.6 billion a year. The Ministry gives for the year of action „Diabetes moves us“ around 500,000 euros.

Lots of exercise and healthy food
Amongst other things, the information campaign should point out that the most common form of „diabetes“, can prevent diabetes mellitus type 2 well. Since this disease usually occurred in the second half of life, this type was formerly called adult-onset diabetes. But now more and more young people are affected. A lot of exercise and a healthy diet are important for prevention because overweight and especially obesity promote the disease. Another risk factor may be smoking. The Bavarian health minister explained that a simple test with eight questions on the Internet, at doctors or pharmacies can clarify whether one has an increased risk.

Numerous sequelae threaten
Even if you can protect yourself from type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes, which affects about four percent of expectant mothers, relatively well, this is hardly possible in type 1, as the disease is probably hereditary. This form affects around 30,000 people in Bavaria. One in five diabetics is affected by eye or kidney disease and 44 percent by cardiovascular disease. Basically, it is important to check the blood sugar level regularly, as this, if it is permanently elevated, damages the blood vessels. It can cause sequelae such as heart attack, stroke, circulatory disorders of the legs and feet, changes in the retina, disorders of kidney functions or erectile dysfunction. Blood pressure, eyes, teeth and kidneys should also be monitored regularly. A special role in the control also comes to the feet, because damaged nerves in diabetes (diabetic neuropathy) can cause numbness and emotional disorders. Special programs are helpful here in which patients commit to regular checks and are monitored by their family doctor.

Increase in the frequency of diabetes in a worse social situation
According to Hans-Erich Singer of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians of Bavaria, about 530,000 patients and 8,200 physicians participate in these control programs in the Free State. Everyone can be registered. According to the AOK health insurance, the complications of diabetes have decreased significantly over the past 12 years. The proportion of people with diabetes is highest in Upper Franconia, followed by Middle Franconia and the Upper Palatinate. In Upper Bavaria and Swabia in 2011 there were few patients. According to the diabetes report, this distribution reflects the socio-economic gap in Bavaria quite well. The worse the social situation, the stronger the increase in the frequency of diabetes. (Ad)