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World Diabetes Day
2012
World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated on 14th November every year.
In 1991 World Diabetes Day first came to be celebrated after the International Diabetes
Federation and the World Health Organization collaborated to find a solution to the growing cases of diabetes worldwide.
The member associations with the International Diabetes Federation
(IDF) joined to share and spread the crucial information on prevention of diabetes.
They forms the five year campaign 2009- 2013 with the main theme
"Diabetes education and prevention" . The specific theme for World Diabetes Day 2011 is
"Act on Diabetes. Now"
Focus on
Diabetes education and prevention
The objectives of World Diabetes day 2011 is to focus on
*diabetes education and prevention , and stress on the power of
knowledge as the only way to improve management of the disease.
Diabetes Education
Awareness and knowledge about diabetes is sacrosanct to proper
management of the disorder. To make effective changes and take informed decisions, awareness about the
condition is a must. Lack of education can elevate the risk
of diabetes related complications leading to reduced health outcomes.
There are two forms of diabetes – type 1 and 2. Type 1 patients suffer
from a lack of secretion of insulin and are diagnosed early. Type 2 patients develop it after one to eight years of being pre-diabetic.
Diabetes Warning signs
Some of the signs that could indicate that you are pre-diabetic
include: A craving for sweets, Inability to control hunger,
Cravings for high-calorie food, Frequent thirst, Frequent urination,
Black pigmentation at the neck, armpits, breast folds (beneath the breasts) and around the thighs.
Diabetes Prevention
According to Word Health Organisation more than 285 million people worldwide
are victims of diabetes. In the absence of education and prevention
programmes, this figure may touch 435 million by 2030, Though Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, Type 2 diabetes can be
offset by making lifestyle changes- maintaining weight, eating healthy
and regular exercise., Type 2 diabetes is closely linked to obesity, which is why dealing with
obesity is important to control pre-diabetes.
Risk factors of Type 2 Diabetes
Risk factors of Type 2 Diabetes are: Family history of diabetes,
Sedentary lifestyle, Obesity, Glucose intolerance, Lack of exercise,
High cholesterol, Hypertension, Consumption of fatty foods, Ethnicity
The benefit of regular exercise and weight management in preventing Type 2 diabetes. Those at high risk of
Type 2 diabetes must alter their lifestyle to include at least 30 minutes of daily exercise, which could be swimming, cycling, dancing, or
brisk walking. Research has underlined the benefit of regular walking
for at least 30 minutes which can lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes by 35-40%.
Control blood sugar levels.
There are several types of medication that can help control blood sugar
levels. AG inhibitors slow down digestion and absorption of carbohydrates in the gut; sulphonylureas stimulate the production of
insulin; and thiazolidinedianes reduce resistance to insulin. Biguandies, of which the widely known metformin is the only drug in this
class, reduces glucose production during a fasting state.
The newest diabetes medication, known as DPP-4 inhibitors, work in two
ways: they help the body make more insulin; and slow down the
liver's production of glucose. The latest DPP-4 inhibitor launched recently in Malaysia, known as
saxagliptin, can help to control blood sugar levels before and after
meals. It is a once-a-day tablet that is convenient and easy to remember, thereby improving compliance. |
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