“Diabetes Concerns Every Family”
World Diabetes Day – November 14, 2018
World Diabetes Day is the world’s largest diabetes campaign and was originally started back in 1991 by The International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO). This awareness event was created because diabetes affects over 420 million people worldwide and by providing education and awareness, an early diagnosis of diabetes can prevent or delay life threatening complications. This year’s theme is “Diabetes Concerns Every Family”.
Some staggering statistics about diabetes are outlined below:
- 1 in 2 people with diabetes remain undiagnosed (about 212 million people)
- Diabetes is the leading cause of:
- Heart Disease
- Stroke
- Blindness
- Kidney Failure
- Lower Limb Amputation
- 80% of Type 2 Diabetes cases is preventable through the adoption of a healthy lifestyle.
- 70% of premature deaths among adults are largely due to behavior initiated during adolescence.
- Less than 1in 2 people with diabetes and 1 in 4 family members of people with diabetes have access to diabetes education programs.
- 1 in 5 health professionals does not receive any postgraduate training in diabetes.
- The number of people with diabetes is expected to rise to 522 million by 2030.
- 3 out of 4 people with diabetes live in low and middle income countries.
Symptoms:
The following are symptoms that can occur in patients with diabetes:
- Urinating often
- Feeling very thirsty
- Feeling very hungry – even though you are eating
- Extreme fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
- Weight loss – even though you are eating more (type 1)
- Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2)
Risk Factors:
Take the following risk test to learn more about your personal risk of developing diabetes: www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/diabetes-risk-test/
Types of Diabetes:
- Type 1 Diabetes – Per the American Diabetes Association Type 1 diabetes is not just a childhood disease even though it has been referred to as “juvenile diabetes”. It can occur at any age, in any race and in people of all shapes and sizes. According to the ADA, there are more adults who have type 1 diabetes than children. Type 1 diabetes is when your body does not produce insulin. Insulin is needed in order to get blood glucose/blood sugar from the bloodstream into your cells which is used for energy. This type of diabetes requires insulin therapy.
- Type 2 Diabetes – is the most commonly diagnosed type of diabetes and is typically found in ages 45 or older, if you have a family history of diabetes, if you are overweight or if you had gestational diabetes while pregnant. Type 2 diabetes means your body has blood glucose (sugar) levels that rise higher than normal. This is also called hyperglycemia. Type 2 diabetes means your body does not use insulin properly.
- Gestational Diabetes – diabetes that develops during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes typically has no symptoms or you may experience mild symptoms like being thirsty or having frequent urination. Pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes can cause a high birth weight for your baby making for a more difficult delivery and/or the baby may be born too early. This can also increase yours and the baby’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
A Diabetes Friendly Diet:
Visit the following webpage for access to healthy recipes:
https://www.diabetesfoodhub.org/
More Information:
For more information about Diabetes, please visit the following websites: