Category Archives: Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar), which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. The most common is type 2 diabetes, usually in adults, which occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t make enough insulin. In the past 3 decades the prevalence of type 2 diabetes has risen dramatically in countries of all income levels. Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin by itself. For people living with diabetes, access to affordable treatment, including insulin, is critical to their survival. There is a globally agreed target to halt the rise in diabetes and obesity by 2025.

About 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, the majority living in low-and middle-income countries, and 1.5 million deaths are directly attributed to diabetes each year. Both the number of cases and the prevalence of diabetes have been steadily increasing over the past few decades.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include the need to urinate often, thirst, constant hunger, weight loss, vision changes and fatigue. These symptoms may occur suddenly. Symptoms for type 2 diabetes are generally similar to those of type 1 diabetes but are often less marked. As a result, the disease may be diagnosed several years after onset, after complications have already arisen. For this reason, it is important to be aware of risk factors.

Type 1 diabetes cannot currently be prevented. Effective approaches are available to prevent type 2 diabetes and to prevent the complications and premature death that can result from all types of diabetes. These include policies and practices across whole populations and within specific settings (school, home, workplace) that contribute to good health for everyone, regardless of whether they have diabetes, such as exercising regularly, eating healthily, avoiding smoking, and controlling blood pressure and lipids.

The starting point for living well with diabetes is an early diagnosis – the longer a person lives with undiagnosed and untreated diabetes, the worse their health outcomes are likely to be. Easy access to basic diagnostics, such as blood glucose testing, should therefore be available in primary health care settings. Patients will need periodic specialist assessment or treatment for complications.

A series of cost-effective interventions can improve patient outcomes, regardless of what type of diabetes they may have. These interventions include blood glucose control through a combination of diet, physical activity and, if necessary, medication; control of blood pressure and lipids to reduce cardiovascular risk and other complications; and regular screening for damage to the eyes, kidneys and feet to facilitate early treatment.

Read more: https://www.who.int/health-topics/diabetes#tab=tab_1

Diabetes affects more than half a billion people worldwide, but nearly one-half of them don’t know that they have the condition. At the same time, people living with diabetes look after their own care more than 95 percent of the time, so they need to understand their condition, how to manage it, and keep their knowledge updated.

To fill that need, and to mark World Diabetes Day 2022 (14 November), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) launched a new online platform that provides free interactive courses to help people with diabetes, and those who care for them, understand and manage their condition.

The theme for World Diabetes Day 2021-23 is access to diabetes care. In 2022, the campaign focuses on the need for better access to quality diabetes education.

Free online courses to understand diabetes

The Understanding Diabetes platform features free interactive courses on various aspects of diabetes care and management.

The first course – An Introduction to Diabetes – explains how the condition develops in the body, describes the main types, and explores the warning signs, risk factors and complications. The second course – The basics of blood glucose control – looks at the importance of keeping blood glucose levels in the target range when possible to help prevent or delay long-term complications of diabetes.

IDF’s School of Diabetes also offers online courses to help healthcare professionals keep up-to-date with diabetes management and treatment.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is no longer able to make insulin, or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it produces. Diabetes is now among the top 10 causes of death worldwide – deaths from diabetes have increased by 70 percent since 2000.

Read more: https://ncdalliance.org/news-events/news/world-diabetes-day-2022-%E2%80%93-get-educated

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes both occur when the body cannot properly store and use glucose, which is essential for energy. Sugar, or glucose, collects in the blood and does not reach the cells that need it, which can lead to serious complications.

Type 1 diabetes usually appears first in children and adolescents, but it can occur in older people, too. The immune system attacks the pancreatic beta cells so that they can no longer produce insulin. There is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes, and it is often hereditary. Around 5 percent of people with diabetes have type 1, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Type 2 diabetes is more likely to appear as people age, but many children are now starting to develop it. In this type, the pancreas produces insulin, but the body cannot use it effectively. Lifestyle factors appear to play a role in its development. According to the CDC, around 90–95 percent of people with diabetes have this type.

Both types of diabetes can lead to complications, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, vision loss, neurological conditions, and damage to blood vessels and organs.

The CDC estimate that over 30 million people in the United States probably have diabetes, but 25 percent of them do not know they have it.

Another type is gestational diabetes. This occurs in pregnancy and typically resolves after childbirth, but some people then develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

This article will look at the differences and similarities between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Causes

Type 1 and type 2 have different causes, but they both involve insulin.

Insulin is a type of hormone. The pancreas produces it to regulate the way blood sugar becomes energy.

Type 1 diabetes

In this type, scientists believe that the immune system mistakenly attacks the pancreatic beta cells, which produce insulin. They do not know what causes this to happen, but childhood infections may play a role.

The immune system destroys these cells, which means that the body can no longer make enough insulin to regulate blood glucose levels. A person with type 1 diabetes will need to use supplemental insulin from the time they receive the diagnosis and for the rest of their life.

Type 1 often affects children and young adults, but it can happen later in life. It can start suddenly, and it tends to worsen quickly.

Risk factors include:

• having a family history of diabetes
• being born with certain genetic features that affect the way the body produces or uses insulin
• some medical conditions, such as cystic fibrosis or hemochromatosis
• possibly, exposure to some infections or viruses, such as mumps or rubella cytomegalovirus

Type 2 diabetes

In type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells start to resist the effects of insulin. In time, the body stops producing enough insulin, so it can no longer use glucose effectively.

This means glucose cannot enter the cells. Instead, it builds up in the blood.

This is called insulin resistance.

It can happen when the person always or often has high blood glucose. When the body’s cells are overexposed to insulin, they become less responsive to it, or maybe they no longer respond at all.

Symptoms may take years to appear. People may use medications, diet, and exercise from the early stages to reduce the risk or slow the disease.

In the early stages, a person with type 2 diabetes does not need supplemental insulin. As the disease progresses, however, they may need it to manage their blood glucose levels in order to stay healthy.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:

• having a family member with type 2 diabetes
• having obesity
• smoking
• following an unhealthful diet
• a lack of exercise
• the use of some medications, including some anti-seizure drugs and some medications for HIV

People from certain ethnic groups are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. These include Black and Hispanic people, Native American Indians and Native Alaskans, Pacific Islanders, and some people of Asian origin, according to the CDC.

Risk factors

Genetic and environmental factors may trigger both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but many people may be able to avoid type 2 by making healthful lifestyle choices.

Research has also suggested that some other environmental factors might play a role.

Vitamin D

Studies have suggested that vitamin D may help prevent both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Low levels of vitamin D may play a role in the development of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, according to some studies.

A review published in 2017 suggests that when a person lacks vitamin D, certain processes in the body, such as immune function and insulin sensitivity, do not work as well as they should. According to scientists, this may increase a person’s risk of diabetes.

The primary source of vitamin D is exposure to sunshine. Food sources include oily fish and fortified dairy products.

Breastfeeding

Some researchers have suggested that giving an infant only breastmilk, even for a short time, might help prevent type 1 diabetes in the future.

A review published in 2012 concluded that there might be “weak protective associations” between exclusively breastfeeding and type 1 diabetes. However, there was not enough evidence to prove that a link exists.

Symptoms

A person with diabetes may experience symptoms and complications due to inadequate levels of blood sugar.

Other aspects of metabolic syndrome also occur alongside type 2 diabetes, including obesity, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. Inflammation appears to play a role.

The chart below outlines the symptoms and complications of type 1 and type 2 diabetes before and at the onset of the condition.

	Type 1	Type 2
Before onset	BMI within a healthy range (19–24.9)	BMI above the healthy range (25 or over)
At onset	Appearance over several weeks of: increased thirst and urination increased hunger blurry vision tiredness and fatigue numbness or tingling in hands and feet sores or wounds that take a long time to heal unexplained weight loss	Development over several years of: increased thirst and urination increased hunger blurry vision tiredness and fatigue numbness or tingling in hands or feet sores or wounds that take a long time to heal unexplained weight loss
Complications	Risk of: cardiovascular disease, including a risk of heart attack and stroke kidney disease and kidney failure eye problems and vision loss nerve damage problems with wound healing ketoacidosis	Risk of: cardiovascular disease, including a risk of heart attack and stroke kidney disease and kidney failure eye problems and vision loss nerve damage problems with wound healing, which can lead to gangrene and the need for an amputation ketoacidosis

Hyperglycemia

If a person’s blood sugar is too high, they may experience the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia and long-term complications, such as vision loss, cardiovascular disease, and organ failure.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), when a person has hyperglycemia, they may experience the following:

• frequent urination
• increased thirst

This can lead to ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening condition that needs urgent medical attention.

Symptoms include:

• difficulty breathing
• a fruity smell on the breath
• nausea and vomiting
• a dry mouth
• coma

Click here to learn more about hyperglycemia.

Hypoglycemia

Share on PinterestPeople with diabetes need to test their blood sugar levels regularly.

Hypoglycemia is when blood sugar levels are too low. This can result in diabetes if the person uses more insulin or drugs that cause the body to produce insulin than they need.

Early symptoms include:

• sweating, chills, and a pale face
• feeling shaky, nervous, and anxious
• rapid heartbeat
• feeling dizzy and lightheaded
• nausea
• feeling weak and tired
• headache
• tingling

A person should take a glucose tablet, a candy, or a sweet drink to relieve the symptoms and prevent the problem from getting worse. Follow this with a protein-based food, such as peanut butter.

Without treatment, the person may experience:

• seizures
• loss of consciousness
• coma

This can be life-threatening and needs immediate medical attention.

A person with diabetes should carry a medical ID so that others will know what to do if a problem occurs.

Find out more here about hypoglycemia.

Diagnosis

The onset of type 1 diabetes tends to be sudden. If symptoms are present, the person should see a doctor as soon as possible.

A person with prediabetes, which is the earliest stage of type 2 diabetes, and the early stages of type 2 will have no symptoms, but a routine blood test will show that blood sugar levels are high.

People with obesity and other risk factors for type 2 diabetes should have regular checks to ensure that their glucose levels are healthy. If tests show they are high, the person can take action to delay or prevent diabetes and its complications.

The following tests can assess for type 1 or type 2 diabetes, but they may not all be useful for both types:

• A1C test, which doctors also call the hemoglobin A1c, HbA1c, or glycohemoglobin test
• Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test
• Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
• Random plasma glucose (RPG) test

Depending on the results, the doctor may diagnose diabetes or prediabetes.

The following table shows what type of results indicate diabetes:

	A1C (%)	FPG (milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl)	OGTT (mg/dl)	RPG (mg/dl)
Diabetes	6.5% or above	126 or over	200 or over	200 or over
Prediabetes	5.7–6.4%	100–125	140–199
Normal	below 5.7%	below 100	below 140	below 200

The ADA recommend regular screening for type 2 diabetes in people aged 45 years and above, or earlier for those with risk factors.

People can check their own blood glucose levels at home. Testing kits are available for purchase online.

Treatment and prevention

There is no cure for diabetes, but treatment can help people to manage it and prevent it from getting worse. Here are some points about treating and managing diabetes.

	Type 1	Type 2
Possible cure	Currently no cure, but lifetime treatment can manage symptoms. In time, gene therapy, regenerative medicine using stem cells, or pancreatic islet transplantation may become an option.	Currently no cure, but measures can slow progression and manage symptoms. Gastric bypass may reduce symptoms in people with severe obesity.
Treatment with insulin and other drugs	Daily insulin injections or using an insulin pump can provide insulin as needed through the day and night. Other drugs, such as pramlintide, can stop glucose levels from rising too far.	Metformin can reduce the amount of sugar the liver produces. SGLT2 inhibitors, DP-4 inhibitors, or alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) can reduce blood sugar levels. Meglitinides or sulfonylureas can increase insulin levels. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) can increase sensitivity to insulin. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists can increase insulin and reduce sugar levels. Amylin analogs can reduce blood sugar by slowing digestion. Additional drugs for people at high risk of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. Insulin in some cases.
Lifestyle treatments	Follow the treatment plan and the doctor’s instructions regarding insulin and glucose testing. Follow an active, healthful lifestyle to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other health issues. Pay attention to glucose levels when exercising. Managing blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.	Follow the treatment plan and medical advice. Healthful diet Regular exercise Managing blood pressure and high cholesterol levels Avoiding smoking Knowing the signs of adverse effects and complications.
Avoiding complications	Follow the treatment plan and know the signs of hypo and hyperglycemia and the complications of diabetes. Wear a medical ID. Take measures to avoid infections Have regular eye tests Check for wounds and seek early treatment	Know the signs of possible complications to be ready to take action. Wear a medical ID. Take measures to avoid infections. Check for wounds and seek early treatment. Have regular eye tests. Follow a healthful diet and take exercise to manage cholesterol levels and high blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risk.
Prevention	It is not yet possible to prevent type 1 diabetes.	Follow a healthful diet with regular exercise. Avoid or quit smoking. Follow a doctor’s instructions if they diagnose prediabetes.

Scientists have been investigating whether immunosuppressant drugs — effective in treating conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and rheumatoid arthritis — might help prevent or reverse type 1 diabetes. However, results so far have been inconclusive.

There is no cure for type 2 diabetes, although gastric bypass surgery, lifestyle, and medication treatment can result in remission.

Find out more here about non-insulin drugs for type 2 diabetes.

Outlook

Diabetes is a serious condition.

It is not currently possible for a person to prevent type 1, but insulin and other drugs can help people to manage their symptoms and live a normal life.

While there may be a hereditary link for both types of diabetes, people can both reduce the risk and manage the progress of type 2 diabetes dramatically by following a healthful lifestyle with regular exercise.

Anyone with a diagnosis of prediabetes should also make healthful lifestyle choices, as this can reduce or eliminate the risk of type 2 diabetes developing.

Read more: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/7504

The theme for World Diabetes Day 2020 is The Nurse and Diabetes. The campaign aims to raise awareness around the crucial role that nurses play in supporting people living with diabetes.

Nurses currently account for over half of the global health workforce. They do outstanding work to support people living with a wide range of health concerns. People who either live with diabetes or are at risk of developing the condition need their support too.

People living with diabetes face a number of challenges, and education is vital to equip nurses with the skills to support them.

As the number of people with diabetes continues to rise across the world, the role of nurses and other health professional support staff becomes increasingly important in managing the impact of the condition.

Healthcare providers and governments must recognise the importance of investing in education and training. With the right expertise, nurses can make the difference for people affected by diabetes.

· Key messages

· Resources

· Get involved

· Share your WDD activity

To mark World Diabetes Day 2020, the International Diabetes Federation is organising a Twitter chat on The Role of the Nurse in Diabetes Care. 

Read more: https://worlddiabetesday.org/about/theme/

Theme, History, Significance, Facts

World Diabetes Day – 14th November 2020

Every year November 14th is celebrated as World Diabetes Day. With the advent of technology, man is prone to several lifestyle diseases. Diabetes mellitus or naturally, diabetes is an ailment in persons who have high blood glucose levels in their bodies. Till now, medical science has found no cure for diabetes, but the disease can be controlled, and blood sugar levels can be maintained.

Children and younger people are more prone to type-1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is more commonly seen in people who are in their mid-age groups and also in senior citizens. Gestational diabetes sometimes occurs in pregnant women. World diabetes day is celebrated to help spread awareness of this disease amongst the global community. This article primarily focuses on the history, importance, themes, celebrations and relevant FAQs of World Diabetes Day 2020.

World Diabetes Day – History

The first-ever World Diabetes Day was celebrated on November 14th, 1991. It is a rare celebration where health care fraternities join hands with the general public to spread awareness of diabetes. The International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) collaborated with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to mark the first-ever international celebration. The IDF started the promotions for this day owing to medical concerns regarding the increasing cases of diabetes Mellitus worldwide.

Diabetes not just affected a particular age group. Still, its side effects and overall health deterioration raised eyebrows amongst global communities to raise the bar and effectively create awareness amongst the public.

In the year 2006, the UN passed a resolution on official terms, and since then, the day is observed with formal celebrations. November 14th also marks a significant day in medical history. Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best discovered insulin in the year 1922. The birth anniversary of Sir Frederick Banting is celebrated every year on November 14th.

Significance of World Diabetes Day 2020

Diabetes Mellitus is a condition when the body is unable to produce sufficient amounts of insulin in the pancreas. Conversely, in some cases, insulin is produced sufficiently, but the cells display an inability to disseminate it appropriately in the body. In either case, the glucose levels in the blood increases and this condition are called hyperglycemia.

In the long run, diabetes if left untreated leads to damage of vital organs in the body and leads to permanent damage to the body. Diabetes mellitus has several symptoms. People are having this disease show signs of frequent urination, uncontrollable thirst, increased hunger, sudden weight loss, reduced vision and eyesight, changes in the foot soles, dry and itchy skin and many others.

As already discusses, diabetes as a disease cannot be entirely cured by medicines. It can be controlled and monitored through proper diet intake, practising a good exercise regimen, phytotherapy, injection of oral hypoglycaemic substances and consumption of specified quantity of insulin.

Approximately 422 million people have diabetes, according to the latest statistics. This number tells us the reason why we need to spread global awareness about the disease. Experts treating diabetes, nutritional consultants, dieticians, counsellors, doctors, nurses and medical advisors collaborate on this critical day to raise awareness about diabetes. It is a boon to patients suffering from the disease.

Medical experts advise the general public on the importance of maintaining a healthy balanced diet and the necessity to include fresh fruits and vegetables in our diet. Food plays a vital role in controlling blood glucose levels at an average level. The intake of grains, legumes, dairy foods and high protein diets help maintain a healthful lifestyle.

Diabetes can also be managed through an active lifestyle. Patients need to engage themselves more in physical activities; they should keep a check on their body weight, say not to sugar-coated foods and sweets, avoid refined flours, reduce beverages and most importantly, stay away from sweeteners.

World Diabetes Day is another way of telling the population not to use low-calorie sweeteners that have been doing the rounds in markets of late. Many people are unaware of their side effects, and medical companies have been advertising their brands for selling their products. Through campaigns and expert advice, wrong notions about the usage of these products can be tackled with.

World Diabetes Day 2020 Themes

Some of the previous year themes are celebrated below:

• 2013 had a fascinating theme – “Protect the future: All about Diabetes education and prevention”.
• 2014 hit the target right with foods, fads and diet with the theme “Go blue for your breakfast”.
• 2015 kept its theme simple, yet very relatable. It said “Healthy Eating”.
• 2016 focussed on eye health with the theme “Eyes on Diabetes”.
• 2017 gave a year to the females with its pink coloured theme “Women and diabetes – the right to a healthy future”.
• 2018-2019 gave two full-fledged years to diabetes in the genes. The theme was “Family and diabetes: Diabetes concerns that every family have”.
• 2020 is dedicated to the genuine care extended by nurses in duty. The theme says” The Nurse and diabetes”.

World Diabetes Day Celebrations

World Diabetes Day is all about planned celebrations and healthy eating events. Let us discuss more in this section. Learning begins at home. Teach children at their school about healthy living habits and the importance of maintaining a functional and active lifestyle. They’ll take the message with them and raise awareness of their entire family. Arrange public speaking events at your society to raise awareness on diabetes prevention, care and treatments. Such informative speak-ups benefit a lot of people.

Take to your social media handles. Write at length about diabetes care and how to avoid diabetes. Walkathons and marathons are other beautiful ways to spread messages to the general public about symptoms of diabetes. Conduct a diabetes screening camp free of cost at selected places.

Spread the word on the fields arranged to the public through various channels. Apart from focusing entirely on diabetes care, encourage physical fitness activities and sports at sports clubs and schools/ colleges.

Conclusion

Diabetes is a chronic condition. Large parts of the world population are currently suffering from diabetes. We have to prioritize our health to lead a healthful lifestyle. Diabetes causes mental stress among patients. There is a need to spread a message regarding treatment available for diabetes mellitus. Many medical organizations have researched with the best medicines and procedures for the disease, yet there has been no complete cure till sight. With a healthy lifestyle in place, we can control and monitor blood glucose levels and thereby keep diabetes worries at bay.

Read more: https://upscbuddy.com/world-diabetes-day/