8 facts you need to know about Diabetes

Diabetes has often taken a backseat at the best of times but during the Covid-19 pandemic it has become more so.

Diabetes is a group of diseases that result in too much sugar in the blood (high blood glucose).

The Zimbabwe Diabetes Association in 2019 said the prevalence was 10% in the country.

So we are sharing 8 facts you need to know about diabetes

1. Diabetes is 1 of the leading causes of death in the world – An additional 2.2 million deaths were caused in the same year by higher-than-optimal levels of blood glucose, through an increased risk of cardiovascular and other diseases. Even when blood glucose levels are not high enough to warrant a diagnosis of diabetes damage can occur to the body. The risk of cardiovascular disease rises as blood glucose levels rise.
2. There are 2 forms of diabetes – Type 1 diabetes means a lack of insulin production and Type 2 is the body’s ineffective use of insulin. Type 2 is potentially preventable while Type 1 still has mystery around it.
3. Type 2 diabetes is more common – Type 2 diabetes accounts for the majority of cases across the world. Higher waist circumference and higher Body Mass Index (BMI), although these are different for varying populations.
4. There is a 3rd one called gestational diabetes – It is a condition in which your blood sugar levels become high during pregnancy. It affects up to 10% of women who are pregnant in the U.S. each year. Those who develop gestational diabetes are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. That includes the children.
5. Diabetes is an important cause of blindness, amputation and kidney failure – Diabetes of all types can lead to complications in many parts of the body and increase the overall risk of dying prematurely. Possible complications include heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, leg amputation (because of infected, non-healing foot ulcers), vision loss and nerve damage.
6. When detected early and managed, people can live long with it – A series of cost-effective interventions can help people diagnosed with diabetes manage their condition. These interventions include blood glucose control through a combination of diet, physical activity and, if necessary, medication; control of blood pressure and lipids to reduce cardiovascular risk and other complications; and regular screening for damage to the eyes, kidneys and feet, to facilitate early treatment.
7. The majority of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries – In general, primary health-care practitioners in low-income countries do not have access to the basic technologies needed to help people with diabetes properly manage their disease. Access to essential medicines (including life-saving insulin) and technologies is limited in low- and middle-income countries.
8. You can prevent type 2 diabetes – Type 2 diabetes is often referred to as a lifestyle disease. So a healthy lifestyle which includes eating well and exercising is essential.

With information from the World Health Organisation

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