World Diabetes Day – 14th November

WORLD DIABETES DAY.

The international community commemorates “World Diabetes Day” on the 14th of November every year, to raise awareness of the growing burden  of this disease, and strategies to prevent and manage the threat.

However, Diabetes is the only major non communicable disease (NCD) for which the risk of dying early is increasing, rather than decreasing.

MOST COMMON TYPE OF DIABETES.(DIABETES DAY)

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. This result from the body’s ineffective use of insulin.

Moreover, Type 2 is an impairment in the way the body regulates and uses sugar as a fuel. This long-term condition results in too much sugar circulating in the bloodstream. Eventually, high blood sugar levels can lead to disorders of the circulatory, nervous and immune systems.

This type  is largely caused as a result of excess body weight and lack of physical activity.

However, Lifestyle measures such as maintaining a healthy body weight, being physically active and eating a healthy diet (sugar free food) have shown to be effective in preventing and delaying the onset of the type 2.

Symptoms

However, Signs and symptoms of type 2 often develop slowly. In fact, you can be living with type 2 diabetes for years and not know it. When signs and symptoms are present, they may include:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Increased hunger
• Unintended weight loss
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing sores
• Frequent infections
• Numbness in the hands or feet
• Areas of darkened skin, usually in the armpits and neck

Prevention

However, Healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent type 2 diabetes, and that’s true even if you have biological relatives living with diabetes.

A healthy lifestyle includes:

• Eating healthy foods. Choose foods lower in fat and higher in fiber. Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Getting active. Aim for 150 or more minutes a week of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity, such as a brisk walk, bicycling, running or swimming.
• Losing weight. Losing a modest amount of weight and keeping it off can delay the progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes.
• Avoiding inactivity for long periods. Sitting still for long periods can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes. Try to get up every 30 minutes and move around for at least a few minutes.