World Health Day: Spotlight on Diabetes

Just yesterday, I learned that scientists from the University of Leeds recorded some success in their quest for explanations for the hormone dysfunction in the production of Insulin which is the primary cause of Type 1 diabetes. The findings of the research are still stretchy but this article offers to explain all that is needed on diabetes. Please enjoy.

Introduction

Annually, the World Health Day is observed on the 7^th of April, a day that is set aside by the World Health Organization (WHO) to draw the attention of decision makers and the international community to the rise of diseases and proffer solutions on how to effectively and efficiently curtain their prevalence and ensure that holistic steps are taken to surmount them. This year’s edition is dedicated solely on the campaign to increase awareness about the rise in diabetes, and its staggering burden and consequences, in particular in low- and middle-income countries; and to trigger a set of specific, effective and affordable actions to tackle diabetes. These included steps to prevent diabetes and diagnose, treat and care for people with diabetes. World Health Day 2016 focused on ways to halt the rise of diabetes worldwide and WHO designed posters on diabetes for use around the world during this year's campaign. The poster visuals promote ways to “stay super” and “beat diabetes”.

Why Diabetes?

Honestly, I would have preferred the World Health Organization (WHO) to use the day as an opportunity to increase the campaign against the Zika Virus and Lassa fever as both diseases have reached epidemic levels in very short periods and both are regarded as a global emergency as at the time of putting this piece together. (Lassa Fever Vs Zika Virus: Differences, Similarities & Prevention Tips. – Oluwole Olusanya 2016)

Alternatively, the campaign against Diabetes could not have come at a better time because the disease is annihilating en-mass and it is doing so silently. WHO gave a number of reasons why the focus is on diabetes and they would be itemized in subsequent paragraphs;

a.     The diabetes epidemic is rapidly increasing in many countries, with the documented increase most dramatic in low- and middle-income countries.

b.     A large proportion of diabetes cases are preventable.

c.     Diabetes is treatable.

d.      Efforts to prevent and treat diabetes will be important to achieve the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target of reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by one-third by 2030.

Diabetes and Its Types

The World Health organization offers a simple and straight-forward definition of Diabetes Mellitus which 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, a hormone that regulates blood sugar, gives us the energy that we need to live. If it cannot get into the cells to be burned as energy, sugar builds up to harmful levels in the blood”.

Similarly, the Encarta Encyclopaedia describes Diabetes Mellitus as the disease in which the pancreas produces insufficient amounts of insulin, or in which the body’s cells fail to respond appropriately to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body’s cells absorb glucose (sugar) so it can be used as a source of energy. In people with diabetes, glucose levels build up in the blood and urine, causing excessive urination, thirst, hunger, and problems with fat and protein metabolism. Diabetes is most common in adults over 45 years of age; in people who are overweight or physically inactive; in individuals who have an immediate family member with diabetes; and in people of African, Hispanic, and Native American descent. The highest rate of diabetes in the world occurs in Native Americans and more women than men have been diagnosed with the disease. (Source: Encarta Encyclopaedia, 2009)

There are 2 main forms of diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes typically make none of their own insulin and therefore require insulin injections to survive. People with type 2 diabetes, the form that comprises some 90% of cases, usually produce their own insulin, but not enough or they are unable to use it properly. People with type 2 diabetes are typically overweight and sedentary, 2 conditions that raise a person’s insulin needs. Of the nearly 21 million people in the United States with diabetes, 90 to 95 percent have Type 2 diabetes. About 90 percent of all diabetes cases in Canada are Type 2. The onset of Type 2 diabetes usually occurs after the age of 45, although the incidence of the disease in younger people is growing rapidly. Because symptoms develop slowly, individuals with the disease may not immediately recognize that they are sick. A number of genes are involved in Type 2 diabetes. In addition, there is a strong relationship between obesity and Type 2 diabetes. About 80 percent of diabetics with this form of the disease are significantly overweight.

More information on the type of diabetes can be found in the Encarta Encyclopaedia on Diabetes Mellitus.

The Figures Are Pretty Bad.

My research into this topic revealed a lot of shocking news and it is one of the reasons I referred to Diabetes as a silent killer who is annihilating en-mass in the preceding paragraph. According to reliable statistics, the number of people living with diabetes has nearly quadrupled since 1980 to 422 million adults and the number is likely to more than double in the next 20 years. In 2012, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.5 million deaths but unfortunately, more than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

As of 2015, an estimated 415 million people have diabetes worldwide, with type 2 making up about 90% of the cases. This represents 8.3% of the adult population, with equal rates in both women and men. From 2012 to 2015, diabetes is estimated to have resulted in 1.5 to 5.0 million deaths each year. Diabetes at least doubles a person's risk of death and the number of people with diabetes is expected to rise to 592 million by 2035. The global economic cost of diabetes in 2014 was estimated to be $612 billion USD. In the United States, diabetes cost $245 billion in 2012. (Source: Wikipedia.com)

Prevention & Treatment Tips

Wikipedia offers a number of ways to combat diabetes. 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 DM must be managed with insulin injections. Type 2 DM may be treated with medications with or without insulin. Insulin and some oral medications can cause low blood sugar. Weight loss surgery in those with obesity is sometimes an effective measure in those with type 2 DM.

Conclusively, I believe that while we continue to hope that the result of the research from the University of Leeds change the course of Diabetes forever. The disease like many other diseases and ailments can totally be avoided if we all pay utmost attention to our health and well-being at all times. I encourage everyone to ensure that we consult our medical practitioners/nutritionists and deliberate on diets that are most suitable for our health needs and physical well-being because Health is Wealth.

God Bless Us All.

Olusanya, Oluwole Sheriff