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The number of diabetics continues to expand

Category: Diabetes

More people than ever are receiving HbA1C tests that may indicate the presence of diabetes, according to updated figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the report,comma 26 million Americans now have diabetes. This is an increase of 2 million patients since the agency's last estimate in 2008. Additionally, another 79 million people have pre-diabetes, which is defined by insulin resistance. This condition often results in full-blown diabetes. The two conditions together affect more than 46 percent of the adult population.

To make matters worse, a large number of those who have diabetes are unaware of their condition. The CDC estimates that 27 percent of diabetics don't know they have it. This can be particularly dangerous, as allowing diabetes to go untreated results in persistently high blood sugar levels, which increases the risk of major complications like retinopathy, gangrene and heart disease.

The picture is not expected to improve anytime soon. The CDC previously estimated that one-third of all adults will have diabetes by 2050. Officials recommend that individuals start improving their diet and getting more exercise to help avoid this.