Checking one's blood sugar will help learn how food, activity levels, stress, medicine and insulin change the blood sugar level. This information can help one stay healthy and prevent or delay diabetic complications such as blindness and kidney failure.

In 2000, according to the World Health Organization, at least 171 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, or 2.8% of the population. Its incidence is increasing rapidly, and it is estimated that by the year 2030, this number will almost double.

Diabetes occurs throughout the world, but is more common (especially type 2) in the more developed countries. The greatest increase in prevalence is, however, expected to occur in Asia and Africa, where most patients will probably be found by 2030.

The increase in incidence of diabetes in developing countries follows the trend of urbanization and lifestyle changes, perhaps most importantly a "Western-style" diet. This has suggested an environmental (i.e., dietary) effect, but there is little understanding of the mechanism(s) at present, though there is much speculation, some of it most compellingly presented.

For at least 20 years, diabetes rates in North America have been increasing substantially. In 2008 there were about 24 million people with diabetes in the United States alone, from those 5.7 million people remain undiagnosed. Other 57 million people are estimated to have pre-diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control has termed the change an epidemic.

The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse estimates that diabetes costs $132 billion in the United States alone every year.

Diabetes screening is recommended for many people at various stages of life. An early diagnosis can have a very important impact on how the diseases can develop and what other ramifications it might cause.

For more information, please check the website: www.diabetes.org