Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Modern life fuels an old infection: Could diabetes inflame the TB epidemic?

Vital Signs is a monthly program bringing viewers health stories from around the world.
(CNN) -- As the developing world becomes more developed, the rise in prosperity in these countries could also result in the rise of a lethal infectious disease -- tuberculosis (TB).
Changes in diets and lifestyles are taking place across emerging economies, particularly as more people move to urban settings to earn a living. The changes are resulting in higher rates of diseases such as type-2 diabetes. The condition decreases the body's ability to produce insulin and absorb glucose from the bloodstream and affected 382 million globally in 2013. The International Diabetes Federation predicts that over 70% of type-2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with the adoption of healthier lifestyles. Worryingly, diabetes also triples the risk a person will develop TB.
Nine million people developed TB in 2013 and 1.5 million died from the disease, according to the World Health Organization. Today, increasing numbers of people affected by diabetes could hamper efforts to control new TB infections.

No comments:

Post a Comment