Here’s a gentle nudge to ensure you discuss any symptoms with your doctor.
Recent research has highlighted a condition that often remains undiagnosed and can lead to severe health issues, such as heart attacks and strokes, without people realizing they have it.
We understand that symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for stress, a busy lifestyle, or general tiredness. However, if you notice something unusual with your body, it’s crucial to consult a doctor.
A visit to your healthcare provider and some thorough tests, including a fasting blood glucose examination, could reveal whether you’re one of the many individuals with this widespread health issue who remain unaware of their condition.
The new study has raised concerns that approximately 44% of individuals aged 15 or older with this chronic illness are unaware they have it, which means they are not seeking treatment or taking preventive measures.
The condition in question is diabetes, characterized by elevated blood sugar levels and existing in two main types.
Type 1 diabetes often begins in childhood and cannot be prevented. On the other hand, Type 2 diabetes typically develops in later adolescence or adulthood, with poor diet, inactivity, and obesity serving as significant risk factors. Lifestyle changes can prevent or manage Type 2 diabetes.
The NHS lists the most common diabetes symptoms as constant thirst, unintentional weight loss, frequent urination, and fatigue. Additional symptoms may include excessive hunger, blurred vision, slow-healing wounds, and increased yeast infections.
If diabetes is not treated, it can lead to serious consequences, raising the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, eye issues, and nerve damage.
The study, sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, predicts that within 25 years, there will be 1.3 billion people living with diabetes. Earlier this year, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reported that in 2024, 11.1% of adults aged 20 to 79, or one in nine individuals – around 589 million adults – will have diabetes, with over 40% unaware of their condition.
IDF projections for 2050 suggest that this number is likely to double.
“By 2050, 1.3 billion people are expected to be living with diabetes, and if nearly half don’t know they have a serious and potentially deadly health condition, it could easily become a silent epidemic,” stated Lauryn Stafford, the study’s first author and a researcher at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
The study indicates that underdiagnosis is more prevalent among young adults, who are also at a higher risk of developing complications from diabetes.
There is a significant disparity in diagnosis rates based on geography and access to healthcare. The study notes that central sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest diabetes diagnosis rates, with less than 20% of diabetics aware of their condition. In contrast, high-income North America has the highest diagnosis rates.