![\"Beat](\"http:\/\/blueheronhealthnews.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/beat_diabtes.jpg\")
Roughly 23 million people in United States alone suffer from type 2 diabetes. It\u2019s the fastest-growing disease in almost all Western countries. Leading complications following type 2 diabetes are heart attacks, strokes and amputations. <\/p>\nRoughly 23 million people in United States alone suffer from type 2 diabetes. It\u2019s the fastest-growing disease in almost all Western countries. Leading complications following type 2 diabetes are heart attacks, strokes and amputations. <\/p>\n
According to new study findings published online in JAMA Internal Medicine, a more effective approach to type 2 diabetes treatment drastically lowers rates of these serious complications. <\/p>\n
Researchers from the University of Chicago looked at more than 72,000 adults from the age of 60 and older, all suffering from type 2 diabetes. <\/p>\n
According to the results, diabetes complications tended to worsen with age, the longer people lived with the disease.<\/p>\n
For example, for those seniors that lived with type 2 diabetes for less than 10 years, heart disease was the major complication (other complications such as amputations became more common at later stages). <\/p>\n
In one year, for each thousand participants, there were 8 new cases of heart disease diagnosed in the age group under 70; 11 new cases in the 70s group; and as much as 15 cases in the age group of 80 and older. <\/p>\n
The good news is that these numbers show a drastic decline from just a decade ago when heart disease rates among type 2 diabetes patients were about 7 times higher (180 cases per 1000 participants). <\/p>\n
This is a significant achievement in improving the life quality of diabetic patients; however, the main concern for type 2 diabetes treatments has become the treatment itself. <\/p>\n
Hypoglycemia is a common side effect of diabetes-controlling medication that causes low blood sugar levels. A fast drop in blood sugar levels causes weakness, irregular heartbeat, anxiety and trouble speaking. <\/p>\n
The same research found that hypoglycemia is the third most common complication in long term type 2 diabetes patients older than 70.<\/p>\n
So what to take from today\u2019s lesson is that it\u2019s extremely important to treat type 2 diabetes to prevent other complications. But it\u2019s equally important to do everything in your power to treat it naturally. <\/p>\n