NEW DELHI: World Diabetes Day takes place on the 14th November every year. It has grown from humble beginnings to become a globally celebrated event which increases awareness about diabetes.
Comprising hundreds of campaigns, activities, screenings, lecture, meetings and more, World Diabetes Day is proving internationally effective in spreading the message about diabetes and raising awareness for the condition.
Diabetes is a chronic disease, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. This leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood (hyperglycaemia).
Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent or childhood-onset diabetes) is characterized by a lack of insulin production.
Type 2 diabetes (formerly called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes) is caused by the body’s ineffective use of insulin. It often results from excess body weight and physical inactivity.
Gestational diabetes is hyperglycaemia that is first recognized during pregnancy.
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.
Amid an ongoing pandemic, various studies have revealed that people with diabetic conditions are at a higher risk of severe clinical outcomes of COVID-19. Practo witnessed a substantial increase of 1200 percent in the number of diabetes queries since last year. This was followed with a growing wave of people seeking medical help for diabetes, especially after the disease came under the spotlight since the COVID-19 outbreak. While diabetes is becoming a global health issue, it is vital to know the details as it comes with lot of myths. On ‘World Diabetes Day’, Diabetologist at Practo bursts six common myths about diabetes.
1. Only older people get diabetes Earlier, diabetes occurring in children and youngsters was considered to be type 1 (juvenile/ insulin-dependent) diabetes. Nowadays, unhealthy lifestyles is causing many youngsters to develop the more common variety of type
2 diabetes. Today, it is not uncommon for teenagers or people in their 20s and 30s to be detected as being type 2 diabetic. 2. Diabetes medicines should not be taken for long as they damage kidneys
Many people stop their diabetes medicines once their blood reports are normal, fearing damage by long term usage of medicines The truth is that stopping medicines will again cause the blood sugar level to rise and an uncontrolled blood sugar may damage not only the kidneys but also eyes, nerves, heart, liver in the long run
3. Fasting and two-hour post-lunch reports are within limits, I needn’t worry Your sugar level at other times of the day or on other days may not be within limits. Hence, you need to do a blood test called HbA1c every 3 months which will tell you if you are well controlled in general over the past 3 months. Apart from that, lipid profile, kidney function tests, liver function tests, eye examination, feet examination should be done at least once a year or in some cases, more frequently, to detect any complications of diabetes at an early stage
4. Diabetes affects only those who eat more sugar Unfortunately, all Indians have a risk of developing type 2 diabetes (we are genetically more prone). However, it is not only the sugar intake but also, an unhealthy lifestyle that decides whether you will develop diabetes or not. This includes irregular meal and sleeps timings, over intake of fast food/ oily food leading to weight gain, lack of adequate exercise. Healthy habits need to be inculcated right from childhood. For all the mothers out there, a chubby child is not a healthy child!
5. A special diet is required for diabetics This may be true in certain special cases as decided by your doctor. However, most diabetics need to follow a healthy dietary and lifestyle pattern which should be followed even by non-diabetics. What is more important is to have small frequent meals rather than 3 heavy meals, increasing fibre intake in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables, avoiding processed food (tinned/ready to eat meals/ bakery foods), increasing water intake, ensuring adequate sleep and having a brisk walk for 30-40 minutes daily with appropriate footwear. Crash diets should not be attempted as they will do more harm than good.
6. Insulin will damage my body Insulin is an injection that needs to be taken daily in some individuals with diabetes. Your doctor will prescribe it only if your diabetes cannot be controlled by tablets, either on a temporary or a permanent basis. It is the best medicine to control blood sugar levels and if taken in the right dose and if precautions are followed, it will cause no harm. Nowadays, better varieties of insulins and insulin needles with a very fine tip are available which makes the injections almost painless. (Agencies)