For clarity, this article is specifically about TYPE II Diabetes, NOT Type I. Diabetes Type II is on the rise in the United States. In 1958 there were approximately 1.58 million people diagnosed with diabetes. In 2013 there were approximately 22.3 million. (Those stats are from cdc.gov) Diabetes increases the risk for many serious health problems, including: Heart disease Nerve damage (neuropathy) Kidney damage (nephropathy) Eye damage (retinopathy) Foot damage (secondary