Diabetes is a condition in which either the pancreas do not produce enough insulin or the body cannot use the insulin produced effectively.
Unfortunately, the number of people with diabetes has quadrupled in the last four decades. In 2014, a total of 422 million adults were living with diabetes in contrast to 108 million in 1980. This is, in part, due to the increase in obesity and the decrease in physical activity in people across the world.
Diabetes has been considered one of the leading causes of death worldwide and it caused close to 1.5 million deaths in 2012. It could lead to medical complications in many parts of the body. For instance, it could lead to vision loss, kidney failure, stroke, heart attack, nerve damage, and possible leg amputation due to non-healing of wounds.
Shockingly, in the past decade, the prevalence of diabetes in lower and middle-income nations has risen faster than in high-income countries.
However, this condition can be prevented by following a few, simple steps such as following a healthy diet, avoiding the use of tobacco, keeping fit and exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight. Also, when detected and managed effectively, people with diabetes can certainly live a long and healthy life.
Types of diabetes
There are three types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body produces less insulin. Because the causes and risk factors for Type 1 diabetes are unknown, unfortunately, prevention strategies have not been devised.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body cannot use insulin effectively. This accounts for a majority of the cases of diabetes across the world. This kind of diabetes is potentially preventable.
The third type of diabetes is gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy when a pregnant woman’s sugar values are above normal but below those of diagnosis of diabetes.
World Diabetes Day
World Diabetes Day is observed annually each year on 14 November. This day is also the birth anniversary of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin.
The day seeks to raise awareness about diabetes and the ways in which it can be prevented.
The theme for World Diabetes Day 2019 is ‘Diabetes and Family.’
This World Diabetes Day, let’s ensure that we keep healthy, active, and fit!
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