World Diabetes Day 2022- Access to Diabetes Care

Diabetes is a big problem in the entire world. Nearly 8.5 percent of adults have diabetes. Diabetes can cause many health problems like blindness, kidney problems, heart disease, etc. That is why people celebrate world diabetes day across the world on 14th November, on the birth anniversary of Sir Fredrick Banting, the one to discover insulin in the year 1922. World diabetes day grabs the public’s attention towards the risks and problems of diabetes. World Diabetes Day aims to teach people to be concerned about the risk factors of diabetes and grabs the spotlight of being diabetic. 
Access to diabetes care is the theme for world diabetes day from 2021 to 2023.

Reasons for choosing this theme- 

Many people have no access to treatment for diabetes; they do not get the medicines and care on time. Moreover, they are not even aware that they have symptoms of diabetes or diabetes. Therefore, they must know what is going on with them. Thus, the theme “Access to Diabetes Care” aims to draw attention to these factors. Governments, private organizations, healthcare workers, activists, and common people all work together to address this problem and the global issue of diabetes.

How can you contribute to world diabetes day?

• Educate people regarding diabetes and its consequences- Even if you tell people around you about diabetes, its causes, symptoms, treatments, and precautions, it will be an enormous contribution. People will be aware, and some will take precautions and can prevent diabetes. Others who already have diabetes will at least get some medical aid before they have another health problem because of diabetes. And the slogan of this theme is “Education to protect tomorrow.” So, educate people regarding the situation at least in November.
• Get the tests done- Many people do not get the tests done, so they have no medical treatment. You can complete your tests and take along your family, friends, neighbors, or acquaintances.
• Showcase the blue circle- The blue process is the symbol of diabetes. Portray it as much as possible. People will be keen to know about it, they might research it, ask people around, and it might help a lot in many ways. So put posters, wear T-shirts with blue circles, and put blue circles in your stories or whichever way you want.
• Share the stories of diabetic people- Share the diagnosis, problems, and treatment stories of diabetics with other people. It will cause fear in them, and they will do something if they have any symptoms; otherwise, many people hang around with a casual attitude.
• Organize diabetic events- Your event can be online or offline. The aim is to motivate people to be aware and stop being careless about the disease. You should also tell them the consequences that diabetes can cause other more prominent diseases like kidney failure, heart disease, etc.

Importance of World Diabetes Day-

The reality is that people do not take diabetes seriously. If they are diagnosed with diabetes, they have ways to deal with that. But they will not take consultation from an expert. Therefore, raising this topic and talking about diabetes is essential. 
Even tiny children have diabetes these days. Sharing stories and precautions can itself be a great help. People may live a healthy life because of you. Hence, it would help if you were not ashamed of having diabetes. But use it as a way to be a savior for others who are not aware of the consequences of diabetes and how fatal it can be!

To make people aware of diabetes, you must know a few things.

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes- This type of diabetes occurs when your body cannot produce enough insulin, so your blood sugar level goes too high. Insulin is what allows glucose into the cells of the body. But when there is no insulin, the glucose remains and increases in your blood, as it cannot go into your cells. This is all Type 1 diabetes. 

Type 2 diabetes- In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not respond well to the insulin or is unable to produce enough insulin. This type of diabetes can occur at any age. However, even small children can have type 2 diabetes, the most common type of diabetes. 

Prediabetes– It is a stage that generally occurs before type 2 diabetes. At this stage, the blood glucose level is higher than usual, but it is not so high that one can call it type 2 diabetes. If you get the proper treatment at this age, there shall be prevention of type 2 diabetes. 

Gestational diabetes- It generally occurs only during pregnancy. After the pregnancy is over, so does gestational diabetes. But due to some reasons, like not taking proper care, gestational diabetes might as well convert to type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms of diabetes

Not all people have all the symptoms. Everyone has different symptoms depending on the type of diabetes they have and how high their blood sugar level is. 
But some common symptoms of diabetes are-

• Fatigue, constantly feeling tired.
• Urinating frequently
• Ketones in the urine.
• Mood swings
• Infections time and again
• If your wounds are taking more than usual to heal up.
• Feeling thirsty again and again
• A blurred vision.
• Pain or numbness in hand or feet
• Extreme hunger and you eat a lot but still lose weight.

How to prevent diabetes?

Be active- Do anything to keep yourself active, like dancing, walking, cycling, jogging, or anything you want to do. But do it for a minimum of half an hour a day. 

Try to drink water- Water will not increase your glucose level as other beverages do. However, you must avoid drinks containing too much sugar and preservatives and drink water instead.

Fibrous diet- Having enough fiber is essential for you. It manages and controls spikes in sugar levels and eventually prevents the development of diabetes. 

Limit sugar- Eating food rich in sugar content and carbohydrates, like potatoes, white bread, rice, etc., can increase your blood glucose levels, eventually leading to diabetes.

So, this World Diabetes Day, let us get together and give access and care to diabetes patients and spread awareness about it.

Content Reviewed by – Asian Hospital Medical Editors