The number of Americans living with diabetes is soaring, and a good chunk of them don't even know they have it.
The Centers for Disease Control's latest report says more than 29 million Americans, roughly 1 in 11, have the disease. That's up more than 3 million from the last report three years ago. And 1 in 4 are undiagnosed.
We've been hearing a lot of scary facts about diabetes rates lately.
A study released last month found the rate of diabetes in kids rose 21 percent in the 2000's, a trend healthcare workers say is getting worse. (Via CBS)
"I'm a pediatrician. I should be taking care of colds, temper tantrums and potty training. And last month I had six new diabetics." (Via WCHS)
Another found rates in adults had doubled over the last 20 years. And if looking backward wasn't scary enough, Katy Couric's documentary "Fed Up" highlighted a startling prediction. (Via CNN)
"By 2050, 1 out of every 3 Americans will have diabetes." (Via Radius-TWC / "Fed Up")
But it's not just the U.S. getting bad news.
The U.K.'s rise in diabetes rates recently passed that of the U.S., and a full third of Brits have elevated blood sugar, a precursor to diabetes. (Via BBC)
The silver lining is that part of the increase in rates is due to better treatments. When people with diabetes live longer, the overall rate rises.
But while drugs are always improving, the best treatment plans are still lifestyle related, including healthy diet and exercise. (Via The White House)
The report also estimated that diabetes cost the U.S. nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars in medical treatments and lost work.
