Because diabetes is a chronic condition, patients are typically worried about how long are they expected to live, once diagnosed with this disease. The life expectancy of diabetes patients is affected by a number of factors that determine the impact of the disease on the health of the patient.
Factors Affecting Life Expectancy of Type-1 Diabetic Patients
The most important factor is the stage at which diabetes is diagnosed. For type 1 diabetes, in particular, early diagnosis allows patients to go for insulin therapies immediately and follow the required dietary plans. This, if followed accurately, enable them to live an almost normal life with no complications. However, the late diagnosis means higher chances of severe long-term complications that are caused by the high blood glucose levels. These complications typically occur in the nerves, eyes, and kidneys, all of which are key organs in the human body. Other complications also include higher blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels, which may also impact the main life parameters and contribute to a reduced life expectancy.
The second factor is the progress of these diabetic complications. Since the complications of diabetes affect vital organs, the rate at which the body responds to the damage caused has a direct contribution to the health of the patient and their life expectancy.
Life Expectancy of Type-1 Diabetic Patients
The life expectancy of type 1 diabetes patients has been reported in earlier research to be 20 years shorter than a normal individual. These statistics have been significantly improved with the increasing efficiency of diabetes treatments and the raised awareness about the disease. A study published in 2012 by the University of Pittsburgh reports the life efficiency of Type-1 diabetes patients to be 69 years, which is around ten years less than the general life expectancy of normal individuals (77 years for men and 81 years for women, according to The Office for National Statistics, UK). The study reports that this enhancement in life expectancy is due to earlier recognition of the disease and improved treatments, particularly in younger patients. Increased awareness and advancements in medicine have also significantly reduced the numbers of child deaths due to diabetic complications.
Increasing the Life Expectancy of Type 1 Diabetes Patients
In order to improve their life expectancy, type 1 diabetes patients need to pay careful attention to their dietary plans while accurately following their insulin therapy. This works to regulate their blood sugar levels and avoid severe complications. Regular exercising is also highly recommended although it should be approved by the patient’s doctor. Shall they suffer from any of the expected diabetic complications, patients need to go under careful medical surveillance and receive proper medical care in order to preserve the functionality of their vital organs.
References
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-life-expectancy.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3478551/
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