The Nurse and Diabetes
One in ten people is living with diabetes. One in six in the world with diabetes is from India. One in two people with diabetes don does not know they have it. Globally, more than 420 million people are living with diabetes, with the prevalence of diabetes nearly doubling in the last forty years. More worrisome is the faster rise of diabetes prevalence in low and middle-income countries. India is the second most affected by diabetes in the world after China. It has an estimated 77 million people with diabetes. The situation is alarming. Yes, it is a lifestyle disease. Sedentary lifestyles and overweight would significantly influence the way that your body utilizes insulin. Once you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is not the end of the road. With a healthy diet, exercise, yoga, and meditation, you will mostly be able to manage, and possibilities of reversing it are also being discussed. The theme for World Diabetes Day 2020 is “The Nurse and Diabetes”. It is essential to raise awareness about the role that nurses play in supporting people living with diabetes.
1 in 10 people are living with diabetes
1 in 6 in the world with diabetes is from India
1 in 2 people with diabetes doesn’t know they have it
International Diabetes Federation and WHO established World Diabetes Day in 1991 to highlight the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. 14 November was chosen to commemorate the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting who along with Charles Best discovered insulin in 1922. In 2006, World Diabetes Day became part of the observation of the United Nations. A blue circle represents the campaign signifying the global unity in response to the diabetes epidemic. World diabetes day is observed to create awareness on the lifestyle, treatment, prevention, and economic impact of diabetes.
Diabetes occurs when the Pancreas (leaf-like gland of the body) is not able to produce insulin or when the body cannot make fair use of produced insulin. Insulin plays a vital role in metabolism. It is necessary for converting glucose into energy and help to store in the liver, muscle, and fat cells for later use. The problem is if the glucose levels increase, it will damage and failure of various organs and tissues.
There are three types of diabetes, Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational. When the body either produces no insulin or produce minimal (Type 1), when the body is not able to make fair use of insulin that it has (Type 2). Increase in the blood sugar levels during pregnancy leading to Gestational Diabetes, which may generate complications to both mother and child. Luckily for many, it disappears after pregnancy. It is reported that such (mother and child) are susceptible to increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Prolonged diabetes and high sugar levels lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart attack and lower limb amputation.
Globally, more than 420 million adults are living with diabetes, with the prevalence of diabetes nearly doubling since 1980 (4.7 to 8.5%). More worrisome is the faster rise of diabetes prevalence in low and middle-income countries. India is the second most affected by diabetes in the world after China. It has an estimated 77 million people with diabetes. Out of 463 million people having diabetes in the world, 88 million people in the Southeast Asia region and 77 million belong to India. IDF estimates indicate that India has the second-highest number of children with type 1 diabetes after the United States. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi top in terms of the number of people with diabetes (per hundread) followed by Karnataka and Punjab. Andhra, Telangana, and MP are trying to catch up with them. Environmental and lifestyle changes resulting from industrialisation and migration to the urban environment from rural, can be attributed the reasons for enhancement of diabetes cases. As diabetes occurring in early life, leading to chronic long-term complications.
Ayurveda treatises (Sushruta Samhita and Charaka Samhita) mentioned about Madhumeha (honey urine). The term “diabetes” traces back to 1st century BC. Early times it was thought to be a disease of the kidney. In the seventeenth century it was realised that it may be a disease of the blood. Joseph von Mering and Oskar Minkowski are credited with identifying (1889) the role of the Pancreas in causing the condition. The discovery and purification of insulin for clinical use between the 1920s paved the way for treatment.
The theme for World Diabetes Day 2020 is “The Nurse and Diabetes”. It is vital to raise awareness about the role that nurses play in supporting people living with diabetes. People living with diabetes face several challenges, and there is a need for equipping nurses with the skills to help them. As the number of people with diabetes continues to rise, the role of nurses and other health professional support staff becomes increasingly essential.
Diabetes is often referred to as a lifestyle disease. Sedentary lifestyles and overweight would significantly influence the way that your body utilises insulin. Once you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is not the end of the road. With a healthy diet, exercise, and medication, you will mostly be able to manage, and possibilities of reversing it are also being discussed. The practise of yoga leads to a decrease in stress levels, making managing blood glucose levels more manageable.
Toons: Anusha and Reema Jaiswal
Logs: Sneha Yadla and Sai Baba
