The Dangerous Toll of Diabetes
Diabetes is the fifth-deadliest disease in the United States. Since 1987 the death rate due to diabetes has increased by 45 percent, while the death rates due to heart disease, stroke, and cancer have declined.
Based on death certificate data, diabetes contributed to 224,092 deaths in 2002. Studies indicate that diabetes is generally under-reported on death certificates, particularly in the cases of older persons with multiples chronic conditions such as heart disease and hypertension. Because of this, the toll of diabetes is believed to be much higher than officially reported.
Many people first become aware that they have diabetes when they develop one of its serious and life-threatening complications such as:
- Heart Disease and Stroke
- High Blood Pressure
- Blindness
- Kidney Disease
- Nervous System Damage
- Amputations
- Dental Disease
- Pregnancy Complications
- Sexual Dysfunction
- Others
The Dangerous Toll Of Diabetes 
Linear Mode
