World Diabetes Day is held on November 14th each year to commemorate the birth of Sir Frederick Banting who co-discovered insulin in 1922. Today, this day is observed in 170 countries and territories.

The theme of World Diabetes Day 2022 is “education to protect tomorrow,” The blue circle is the universal symbol for diabetes. It was introduced in 2006 to give diabetes a common identity.

World Diabetes Day is a global occasion on which people with diabetes, health professionals, diabetes advocates, media, the general public and government organisations unite to raise awareness of diabetes.

As the theme of world Diabetes Day is Education to protect tomorrow, so we are going to make you aware of Diabetes so you can be saved from Diabetes tomorrow.

Our main objective is to make you familiar with term Diabetes and some control measures so you , yourself and your loving one can be protected.

The term Diabetes describes a group of metabolic disorders characterised and identified by the presence of hyperglycemia,, it simple mean is that your blood sugar has been raised.

Now we should be knowing the normal value of blood sugar so we can look for increased level of sugar.

Blood sugar level can be measured in different ways like

• Fasting sugar – it means we had overnight fast of 8-14 hours and then we checked our sugar level in morning without consuming anything.
• Random blood sugar – it means at any time randomly you checked your blood sugar .
• Post prandial sugar – it means you just had your meal and after 2 hours of meal you check your blood sugar level.

There are different cut off level for blood sugar level for different scenerio mentioned above.

Please note only a single raised value of blood sugar level is never a indicator of confirmed Diabetes ,

Check at least 3 times before starting treatment.

There are some general symptoms that a diabetic patient observe so we should be knowing about those symptoms so an early approach to a doctor can be done.

Diabetes is of different types

• Diabetes inspidus
• Diabetes mellitus type – 1 that occurs in age below 30
• Diabtes mellitus type – 2 that occurs in age beyond 30
• Gestational diabetes – that occurs in females during pregnancy, etc..

The majority of burden is of Diabetes mellitus type – 2 ,so our symptoms, risk factors and preventive measures are mainly concerned towards Diabetes mellitus type 2.

A diabetic patient feels

• Polyphagia – it means feeling hungry and having the urge to eat again and again.
• Polydipsia – it means the urge to drink more and more water.
• Polyurea – it means the urge to pass urine again and again.
• Delay in wound healing – a simple cut can take longer time than usual in a diabetic patient

So if ever your loving complaints this type of symptoms please look for a doctor.

Risk factors for diabetes

• Sedentary lifestyle – your sedentary lifestyle will push you in the web of diabetes.

Add some minutes of exercise in your daily routine.

• Diet – A high saturated fat intake has been associated with risk of Diabetes.
• Malnutrition – Children who receive nutritional deficiencies in childhood are more prone to diabetes, so provide proper nutrition to your kids.
• Alcohol – Excessive intake of alcohol can increase the risk of Diabetes by damaging pancreas.
• Obesity – maintain a healthy weight
• Smoking
• Genetic factors – If both the parents are suffering from diabetes there are high chances of their kid to be diabetic.

What advice can be given to a person suffering from Diabetes

• Brisk walk – Do brisk walking 5 days a week for 30 minutes

Brisk walk means 100 steps in a minute

• Meal in parts – Instead of taking your meal in a single go divide your meal seating in 3-5 times.
• Dietary fibre – Add salad to your diet.
• Avoid fruits such as Mango , grapes, sweet potato ( shakkar kandhi)
• Keep toffe along with you so if you feel lethargic, breathless, palpitations consume that toffe to overcome symptoms.
• Monitor your BP on regular basis
• Foot care – As we have already discussed, in diabetes wound heals in a longer period so your foot care is a must thing otherwise a single small wound can turn into a giant problem. Wear shoes throughout the day
• Eye examination – Give advise to diabetic patient for regular eye check up

In later stages of diabetes your eyes functions can be compromised so a early approach is better to this than complete vision loss.

• Avoid alcohol and smoking

We hope these preventive measures will save you from worse tomorrow

Life is not over because you have Diabetes.

Make the most of what you have

Article by Rohit Baljot