DIABETES; A DISEASE CAUSED BY INFLAMMATION WHICH CAN BE PREVENTED

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycaemic(abnormal high blood sugar) with disturbances of carbohydrate ,fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both.
We have different types of diabetes. Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. Type 1 (insulin-dependent) can occur at any age but usually develops in children or adults aged less than 40 years. This is also called juvenile diabetes and this occurs as a result of lack of insulin production by the pancreatic B cells. Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed in older adults but increasingly seen in younger adults and some children. It is associated with a lack of insulin function as a result of insulin resistance  with or without insufficient production and is strongly associated overweight and obesity. Gestational diabetes is hyperglycaemia diagnosed during pregnancy that had not been previously diagnosed.
Globally, about 170 million individuals have diabetes. As of 2015, an estimated 415 million people had diabetes worldwide with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus making up about 90% of the cases. This represent 8.3% of the adult population with equal rates in both women and men. Diabetes at least doubles a person's risk of early death. From 2012 to 2015 approximately 1.5 to 5.0 million deaths each year resulted from diabetes.
It might be hard to believe, but when you prick your finger with a meter and see a blood sugar  reading of let's say 250 mg/dm, it's not because you have diabetes! Some people can walk around with blood sugar as high as 300 without having diabetes. How is this possible? It all comes down to a single word: INFLAMMATION.                                                            Have you ever wondered why diabetes have such high rates of heart disease, heart attacks, cancer, high cholesterol, blindness, arthritis and neuropathy? It is just INFLAMMATION.
Just recently; Scientists and researchers at the University of California San Diego proved that type 2 diabetes is caused by inflammation. They discovered that an inflammatory molecule called LTB4 causes insulin resistance. And what does insulin resistance lead to? High blood sugar and diabetes.
As we all know that each year whenever we celebrate the world's diabetes day, this is a medium where we make awareness about  diabetes and we also use this medium to remember our loved ones that we had lost due to this deadly disease. At least deaths of about 1.5-5.0 million per year. Enough is Enough , we need to stop the rate at which people die through this disease. Our loved ones need to stay alive and healthy.                               How can this be possible? Only if we are ready to help ourselves. But how? By doing frequent testing of our blood sugar levels. Also by taking good care of ourselves earlier whenever we notice the symptoms.
So, what are the symptoms of diabetes?
Symptoms includes; frequent urination, increased thirst, increased hunger. Symptoms may developed rapidly (weeks or months) in type 1 Diabetes Mellitus  while they usually develop much more slowly and may be subtle or absent in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.                   Several other signs and symptoms can mark the onset of diabetes although they are not specific to the disease. In addition to the known ones above, they includes; blurry vision, fatigue, slow healing of cuts, etc. People with untreated or undiagnosed diabetes are thirsty and have to urinate often because glucose builds to a high level in the blood stream and the kidneys are working hard to flush out the extra amount. People with untreated diabetes often get hungry and tired because the body is not able to use food the way it should.
However, Diabetes can actually be prevented. I know you might be wondering how that is possible.
Diabetes prevention is possible by maintaining a healthy diet, regular physical exercise, maintaining a normal body weight, avoiding use of tobacco and so on.                                       Higher levels of physical activity [more than 90 minutes per day] reduce the risk of diabetes by 28%. Also,  Dietary changes is known to be effective in helping to prevent diabetes and these includes; maintaining a diet rich in whole grains and fiber, choosing good fats such as the polyunsaturated fats found in nuts, vegetable oils and fish. However, limiting sugary beverages and other sources of saturated fats can also help prevent Diabetes. Tobacco smoking is also associated with an increased risk of diabetes and its complications, so smoking cessation can be an important preventive measure as well.

NOTE:
* Diabetes is not transmittable, lets help, assist and take good care of older adults that have diabetes.
* Type 2 Diabetes is common among older adults.
* Dietary advice is advisable for anyone with Gestational Diabetes.
* Anyone with Gestational diabetes is adviced to take good care of it earlier when affected so that it won't later appear when they are old.
* Frequent check up of our blood glucose level is very important.
* Regular exercise or physical activity is important.
Do not wait till it developed into a chronic one. This is the right time for us to combat this disease.
To this, Diabetes can solely be reversed with healthy diet and this can be done by the help of a dietitian.
VISIT A DIETICIAN TODAY
LETS SAY NO TO DIABETES
LETS SAY NO TO DEATH THROUGH DIABETES         TAKE ACTION TODAY!!!

REFERENCE
* International Diabetes Federation (2016).

 * WHO (2013);"The top 10 causes of death fact".    
         
* Williams textbook of endocrinology(12th Edition).Philadelphia: Elsevier/Saunders.pp. 1371-1435.

* Yuankai et al (2014); "The global implications of diabetes and cancer".

* Joan Webster-Gandy et al (2006); "Classification and prevalence of diabetes".