There is growing concerned about diabetics in the world today. In order to increase awareness about Diabetes, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided to mark this day as World Diabetes Day. This day was chosen as this is also the birthday of Sir Rick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.
What are the important facts about diabetes today?
The prevalence of diabetes is rising more rapidly in low and middle-income countries like India. Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, paralysis, and also lower limb amputation. There has been a steady increase in premature mortality from diabetes.
Can we prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes?
A healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining normal body weight, and avoiding tobacco use are ways to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 Diabetes.
What is type 1 Diabetes?
This was known as juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes earlier. This is characterized by deficient insulin production and thus requires a daily dose of insulin. The majority of these individuals are from high-income countries. Scientists are still finding ways to find out the exact cause or the way to prevent it.
What are the important symptoms of type 1 diabetics?
Excessive thirst, excess urination, and severe tiredness are significant symptoms. They may have an excess appetite, but may still continue to lose weight.
What are the significant symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
Most of them, many, have diabetes in one of their family members. Hence, it is imperative to check blood glucose in all such individuals. In fact, in India, the prevalence of diabetes is so high that all of us should check our blood sugar at least once a year, irrespective of our family history. In many, diabetes is detected by chance. For insurance purposes, prior to employment or pre-surgery checkups, blood sugar estimation is always recommended. Premature cataracts, obesity, hypertension, exhaustion, weight loss, symptoms due to heart disease visual disorders, skin infection, urinary tract infection could be the early presentation in diabetics.
How can we prevent the rising number of people getting diabetes?
Proper education of the general population is important. The way the Indian population was well-informed about coronavirus, the same template can be used for diabetes education. The majority of Indians have had a prediabetes stage for a number of years. These individuals should be identified and they should be pursued to change their lifestyle in terms of exercise, diet, and weight reduction.
How can a diabetic have a normal life and normal life span?
The most important aspect is good control of diabetes by regular treatment, exercise, and diet control. Meticulous attention should be given to blood pressure and cholesterol control as well. Avoiding alcohol in excess, avoiding all tobacco products, and maintaining a happy and contented lifestyle are significant. World Diabetes Day is a significant day for India. This day reminds us of the silent but dreadful epidemic of diabetes in India. This day should trigger our thinking about ways and means to prevent the ever-increasing diabetic population in India.