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World Diabetes Day

Saturday, November 14 is World Diabetes Day. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public and political spotlight. The initiative for World Diabetes Day in 2020 focuses on supporting the role of nurses in diabetes prevention and management.

In essence, Diabetes is a disease that causes high blood sugar. It is about the body’s ability (or lack of it) to produce the required amount of a hormone called insulin to control glucose levels in the blood. Insulin moves sugar from the blood into the cells to be stored or used for energy.

Different types of diabetes can occur, and the treatment of the condition depends on the type of diabetes a person has. There are mainly three types of diabetes:

1. Type 1 Diabetes

• Occurs when the body fails to produce insulin. It is said to be caused by a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. About 10% of people who have diabetes have type 1 diabetes, or insulin-dependent diabetes. This was previously called Juvenile-onset Diabetes because it often begins in childhood.

2. Type 2 Diabetes

• Also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes affects the way the body uses insulin. While the body still makes insulin, the cells in the body do not respond to it as effectively as they once did. Obesity poses a risk to developing type 2 Diabetes as it often causes insulin resistance.

3. Gestational Diabetes

• During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones to sustain your pregnancy. These hormones make your cells more resistant to insulin. The pancreas tries to cope by producing extra insulin to overcome the resistance. But when it is unable to keep up, little glucose goes into the cells and stays in the circulating blood, hence resulting to Gestational Diabetes.

To help minimize and prevent long-term complications, it is very important that people with diabetes maintain good control of their condition, and there have been enormous developments in this field in recent years.

Some types of diabetes like type 1 are caused by factors beyond the persons’ control. If any of your loved ones have diabetes, support them in all things possible so they may be encouraged to a well, active, and healthy lifestyle.

Most importantly, do not hesitate to consult with Medgate’s doctors about diabetes. Early prevention is the key to a healthy, long-term life.

Reference:

https://worlddiabetesday.org

https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/world-diabetes-day-2020/