Non- medical diabetes facts
Most of us have a pretty good idea what Diabetes is as far as its relationship to sugar and how the body uses it and we have a good general understanding of why it is some people cannot use insulin normally made in the body for good health. But what about other diabetes facts not directly related to the medical science.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has offered some significant facts about diabetes and how it is changing in today’s global climate regarding the marketing of food to low and middle income countries. In the past those countries tended to have a population made up of people who were unable to eat well due to climate or political circumstances. Along with the advent of a global market and wider distribution of prepackaged foods and food produced chemically, there has been a growth in diabetic cases worldwide.
These are some of the more startling facts about diabetes as they relate to the global market changes:
- Cases of Diabetes types 1 and 2 are on the increase due to an increase in the number of people who are overweight or obese.
- As lifestyles become more sedentary among people who once worked physically for their daily survival, diabetes has increased.
- 80% of deaths related to diabetes are occurring among people in low to middle income ranges.
- Although Type 1, aka Juvenile Diabetes, occurs among children more often, there has been an increase in Type-2 cases which is commonly associated with diet, obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Almost 50 % of newly diagnosed Type 2 cases are children under the age of 18.
- In 2005, 1.1 million people died from complications due to lack of awareness and medical care. If those deaths, 80% were among people who live in poverty.
Diabetes Type 2 is preventable with proper medical care. If a person does develop Type 2, they can safely live long and satisfying lives with by learning how to manage their condition with diet, exercise, and medications. They can also make important lifestyle changes:
- Keep glucose levels within normal ranges with good, healthy food choices and monitor carefully:
- Check glucose frequently, both fasting and eating to make sure insulin levels remain steady
- Tale prescribed medications regularly
- Balance your food intake with healthy fibers, fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Follow diet restrictions carefully
- Avoid sweet snacks that are highly processed
- Exercise to keep glucose levels in blood steady
- Your health team should include:
- Personal Doctor: Who knows you well
- Diabetes educator: To teach you the dos and don’ts
- Ophthalmologist: to monitor you for Retinopathy
- Dentist: Early prevention often occurs during regular check ups
- Podiatrist: Helps with symptoms such as tingling and numbness in feet.
Now, that you have the facts about diabetes and you have surely read the medical details regarding the different types, you are sufficiently armed to share your concerns with a family member you are concerned about or you can talk to your doctor if you are concerned about the possibility that you may have diabetes. Believe it or not, doctors prefer well informed patients.