Diabetes deaths increase by 12% in Brazil in six years, according to the Ministry of Health | Welfare

Throughout the period, the country recorded 406,452 deaths of Brazilians with a relationship to the disease. In contrast, the number of hospitalizations for diabetes decreased: 148,384 in 2010; and 135,364 in 2016.

The data was released by the Department of Health Wednesday (27), during the celebration of National Diabetes Day.

The record also released in the fourth quarter data from the Vigitel (Surveillance of Risk Factor Surveillance and Protection against Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey) on diabetes.

According to the survey, between 2006 and 2017, the number of men diagnosed with the disease increased by 54%. In 2006, men accounted for 4.6% of the total; in 2017, the number has increased to 7.1%, the file says.

Already at home, diabetes has increased by 28.5% over the period, despite the number of women with the condition being greater than the number of men (8.1%).

Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by an increase in blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Increasing blood sugar is a condition that is toxic to the body and is badociated with chronic renal failure, cardiovascular disease and lower limb amputations.

Treatments and public health actions

Diabetes treatments aim to control blood sugar levels and prevent complications. One of the most commonly used medications is chlorinated metformin, which helps control type 2 diabetes.

The drug decreases the production of glucose by the liver, increases the sensitivity of cells to insulin and reduces the absorption of glucose by the intestine.

Among the public health goals, the Ministry of Health cites commitments to reduce obesity. By 2019, Brazil plans to reduce its regular consumption of soda and artificial juice by 30%.