Beat Diabetes

This year’s theme for World Health Day is “Beat Diabetes” and it aims to create awareness about the disease and how to prevent and control its spread.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO)

• About 350 million people worldwide have diabetes, a number likely to more than double in the next 20 years.
• In 2014, the global prevalence of diabetes was estimated to be 9% among adults.
• In 2012, an estimated 1.5 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes.
• More than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
• WHO projects that diabetes will be the 7th leading cause of death in 2030.
• Type 2 accounts for around 90% of all diabetes worldwide.

Reports of type 2 diabetes in children have increased worldwide.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Hyperglycemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body’s systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes results from the pancreas’s failure to produce enough insulin. This form was previously referred to as “insulin-dependent diabetes” or “juvenile diabetes”. The cause is unknown. Symptoms include excessive excretion of urine, thirst, constant hunger, weight loss, vision changes and fatigue. These symptoms may occur suddenly.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (formerly called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset) results from the body’s ineffective use of insulin. Until recently, this type of diabetes was seen only in adults but it is now also occurring in children.

Over time, diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke and is among the leading causes of kidney failure. top diabetes specialist in Pakistan

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention and treatment involve a healthy diet, physical exercise, maintaining a normal body weight, and avoiding use of tobacco. Control of blood pressure and maintaining proper foot care are important for people with the disease. Type 1 Diabetes must be managed with insulin injections. Type 2 Diabetes may be treated with medications with or without insulin.