Fatally Two million Germans are unaware of their own diabetes

Diabetes in Germany: Every year about 300,000 new patients are added

The number of diabetic patients has increased massively worldwide for years. In Germany, the disease continues to increase. According to a recent report, around 300,000 new patients are added every year in this country. Many do not know about their illness.

One of the big common diseases

"Diabetes mellitus is one of the major common diseases in Germany," reads the preface to the "German Health Report Diabetes 2018". The annual report, published by the German Diabetes Association (DDG) and diabetesDE - German Diabetes Aid, contains the latest figures and developments on the disease. As the DDG writes in a communication, currently about 6.7 million people in Germany suffer from diabetes mellitus.

About 6.7 million people in Germany suffer from diabetes mellitus. About two million do not know about their illness. (Image: Robert Kneschke / fotolia.com)

Most suffers from type 2 diabetes

About 95 percent suffer from type 2 diabetes, an estimated 312,000 adults and over 31,500 children and adolescents under the age of 20 have type 1 diabetes.

"In the last quarter of a century, the number of those affected has risen by more than a third: Every year, about 300,000 new patients are added," says the report.

The number of unreported cases is considered to be particularly problematic: about two million affected people know nothing about their illness.

Dramatic consequences

Bad or even untreated, diabetes has dramatic consequences: The complication rate for heart attack, heart failure (heart failure) and stroke is about 2 to 3 times increased according to the DDG.

As a result of diabetes, 40,000 legs, feet or toes are amputated every year and around 2,000 people go blind.

In addition, diabetes is the leading cause of people needing dialysis regularly. Life expectancy and quality of life of patients are significantly reduced.

Risk factors for diabetes

The main risk factors for type 2 diabetes are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and overweight or obesity.

This is different with type 1 diabetes. Rather, it is due to misdirected immune system reactions that destroy the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.

This results in an absolute insulin deficiency and the body can no longer metabolize the blood sugar.

Healthier lifestyle

The goal of optimal care is to normalize the life expectancy and quality of life of people with diabetes. "A life without diabetes" would be the ideal, says the current health report.

In type 1 insulin syringes are the standard therapy.

Type 2 usually recommends a healthy lifestyle first. Often already losing weight can normalize insulin levels again.

Regular exercise also helps to lower high blood sugar. Sports such as jogging, Nordic walking, cycling or walking are also available.

In addition, scientific studies have provided evidence that certain foods can have a positive effect. A study showed that broccoli lowers blood sugar in type 2 diabetics. (Ad)