Definition of diabetes:
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that is characterized by increased level of glucose in the blood (hyperglycemia) as a result of abnormal insulin production or impaired insulin utilization or both. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Hight level of glucose leads to the diabetes symptoms and some complications might cause death like diabetic keto acidosis (DKA), while during a long period of time, it can seriously damage your heart, eyes, feet and kidneys and contribute in other cases of deaths accordingly.
There are three main types of diabetes;
- Type one: Formerly known as “juvenile onset” or “insulin dependent” diabetes. It accounts for 10% of patients with diabetes. Pancreas can no longer produce insulin and the patients require daily administration of insulin. The symptoms usually starts suddenly and it might lead to a life-threatening complication like diabetic keto-acidosis. Neither the cause of Type 1 diabetes nor the means to prevent it are known.
- Type two: Accounts for 90% of patients with diabetes. Decreased (but not absent) production of insulin. Usually occurs in people over 40 years old. 80 -90% of patients are overweight. The symptoms are non-specific with gradual onset.
- Gestational Diabetes: Develops during pregnancy. Detected at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation. Associated with risk for cesarean delivery, perinatal death, and neonatal complications. It is diagnosed through prenatal screening, rather than through reported symptoms.
What increases the importance of addressing the health determinants of diabetes that preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes type 2 is achievable by healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco. Furthermore, it is treatable by ensuring sustainability of the medication, screening and treatment for complications, patients can avoid or delay long term complications and premature death.
Key facts about diabetes:
Diabetes increases the risk of early death, and diabetes-related complications can lower quality of life. The high global burden of diabetes has a negative economic impact on individuals, health care systems, and nations. According to WHO:
- About 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, the majority living in low-and middle-income countries. Both the number of cases and the prevalence of diabetes have been steadily increasing over the past few decades.
- Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation.
- Between 2000 and 2016, there was a 5% increase in premature mortality from diabetes.
- In 2019, diabetes was the ninth leading cause of death with an estimated 1.5 million deaths directly caused by diabetes.