World Diabetes Day

Types of Diabetes - Type 1 and Type 2

Type 1 Diabetes:

This occurs due to deficient insulin production in the body and requires the administration of insulin on a daily basis. The cause of Type 1 Diabetes remains unknown and it is currently unpreventable.

Symptoms: Excessive urination, bed wetting, thirst, sudden weight loss, constant hunger, fatigue, lack of energy, and vision changes. These symptoms can occur unexpectedly.

Type 2 Diabetes:

This occurs due to the body's inability to effectively use the insulin produced by the pancreas. This type of diabetes is more common and largely occurs due to physical inactivity and excess body weight. Type 2 diabetes is preventable.

Symptoms: Similar symptoms but less marked. Other symptoms include slow-healing slow healing wounds, recurring fungal infections in the skin, numbness/tingling sensation in hands and feet, etc. Diagnosis may occur years after onset when symptoms are recognised.

Due to the overwhelming threats that diabetes poses to our health, World Diabetes Day came into existence.

History of World Diabetes Day 

World Diabetes Day was created by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in partnership with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 1991. 

In the year 2006, it became an official United Nations Day. Every year, it is celebrated on the birthday of the scientist Sir Frederick Banting, the co-discoverer of insulin. 

Today, World Diabetes Day is observed in 160 countries across the world and spreads awareness about diabetes. 

Why is World Diabetes Day Observed on November 14 Every Year?

World Diabetes Day or WDD was created by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1991. It officially became a United Nations Day in 2006.

Every year, WDD is observed on the same date - 14th of November. This is because it was the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting who co-discovered insulin with Charles Best in the year 1922.

World Diabetes Day is the world's largest diabetes awareness campaign. It is observed in over 160 countries and attracts a worldwide audience of over 1 billion people.

The Family and Diabetes: Why A Family-Centric Theme?

More than 425 million people are living with this chronic disease today and out of this number, a majority suffer from Type 2 Diabetes which is preventable.

How families can help prevent Type 2 Diabetes Through this Theme

Be a support system for one another

A healthy living environment is crucial to prevent this disease along with healthy and balanced meals and regular physical activity. To be an effective support network, families must be educated, and have the resources to inculcate a healthy lifestyle.

Being aware of the signs, symptoms, and risk factors

Currently, 1 out of 2 persons have diabetes but remain undiagnosed. Again, most cases are of Type 2 diabetes. Early diagnosis and treatment are paramount to overcoming the complications of the disease and living a healthy lifestyle. All families are possibly affected, which makes it all the more important to be aware of the signs, symptoms, and risk factors concerning all diabetes types for early detection and prevention.

Taking part in diabetes education programmes

Less than 1 in 4 family members is enrolled in a diabetes education programme. However, research has shown that family-led diabetes care improves the health outcomes of people living with diabetes. This is why it’s becoming more and more important to make diabetes education and support available to families, so they can reduce the emotional distress associated with the condition, which can have a devastating impact on quality of life.

The Role of IDF

IDF is urging families to educate themselves about the warning signs (symptoms) of diabetes to be able to spot the onset of this disease in family members, especially children who are also being affected by it.

In 2018, the International Diabetes Federation conducted a research which concluded that parents were struggling to find symptoms of diabetes in their own children, despite having diabetes in their family history. 4 per 5 parents were struggling to recognise the symptoms and 1 in 3 couldn't spot symptoms at all.

These alarming findings further harp on the need for education and awareness to help families recognise warning signs of diabetes, making World Diabetes Day this year all the more important. A 2-year timeframe was chosen for this theme in order to facilitate the planning, development, promotion, and participation.

Diabetes is one of the most expensive health conditions in the world. For many people and families living with diabetes, the cost of managing the disease on a day-to-day basis and providing insulin is an unaffordable expense. It can take up to half of a family’s disposable income. That’s why there’s a pressing need to make diabetes drugs more affordable.

If you wish to test your knowledge of diabetes and want to learn more, you can use the awareness assessment tool provided by IDF: http://discoverdiabetes.idf.org/.

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