Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by the presence of excess sugar in the blood called hyperglycemia and measured by a fasting blood sugar level equal to or greater than 1.26 g / l (7 mmol / l) of blood. There are two kinds of diabetes, but type 2 diabetes is the most common (90% of diabetics).
How is diabetes screened for?
If 40% of the population has already been screened for diabetes, 700,000 people are still unaware that they are affected by the disease. Between 1999 and 2016, the number of people treated for diabetes in our country would increase by 44%. This increase is due for 14% to the growth of the population, for 48% to its aging which is inevitable and for 38% to the increase in obesity, which can be partially controlled (source: Health insurance).
Screening is very simple since it is a simple fasting blood test to measure the level of sugar in the blood. Screening every 3 years is recommended for those at risk, that is, those with a family history, those who are overweight and the elderly.
Watch the video to learn more about screening for diabetes
