7 Quick Facts You Need To Know About The Disease That Killed Ahmed Darwesh

KTN Swahili News anchor Ahmed Darwesh who passed away yesterday had been battling diabetes for quit some time. He was to anchor the 7PM news on KTN yesterday but did not show up at work. His colleagues later found out that he had passed away on his couch at his home.
Diabetes is one of the world’s top killer diseases. These are the 7 facts you need to know about the disease.
1. There are two types
These are Type 1 and Type 2. Type one is the least common. It is the insulin-dependent type. It requires a person to take insulin in order to survive. It has for a long time been referred to as juvenile diabetes because it is mostly common in children. It is most common in the northern parts of the planet, where the temperatures are colder. Complications associated with type 1 diabetes include foot problems and nerve pain.
Type 2 is the most common, accounting for 90 percent of the cases. People with this type of diabetes produce insulin but their bodies are unable to absorb it correctly. It is associated with unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise. Too much body fat and body inactivity makes people prone.
2. It may cause blindness
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among working age adults. High blood sugar in the blood causes retinal damage. The retina is the part of the eye that captures images and sends them to the brain as nerve signals. This condition is referred to as diabetic retinopathy.3. People with Diabetes are twice likely to develop heart disease than people without it
Diabetic Heart Disease is caused by high blood sugar levels in the blood stream. This damages the structure of blood vessels and the heart. It may lead to stroke or total heart failure. It may also be caused by high cholesterol levels in the blood.
High sugar concentration in the body leads to accumulation of fat deposits on the walls of blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis, hence leading to stroke or heart failure.
4. About a third of people with Diabetes don’t know they have it
This is especially native to Diabetes type 2. The syndromes occur over a period of a few years. These may include increased urination, hunger, thirst and fatigue. More symptoms include erectile dysfunction and blurred vision.
5. Type 2 Diabetes risk can be prevented by weight loss
Cutting weight by a certain margin can help reduce the risks of getting the disease. This is especially true if you’re overweight. Exercising also helps keep your body fit, hence reducing the blood sugar levels. A general healthy lifestyle can save you from developing this disease.
6. Total deaths of Diabetes are expected to rise by more than 50 percent in the next 10 years
Despite the annual spending of hundreds of billions of dollars by diabetes patients globally, the number of people who have the disorder is constantly on the rise.
7. In 2005, 1.1 million people died from Diabetes
Their causes of death were attributed to mostly kidney failure or heart disease. This is according to the World Health Organization.