Diabetes
| Diabetes mellitus is defined as a group of diseases characterized by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. This disease can lead to premature death, especially when left uncontrolled.
” At present over 170 million people are living with
diabetess
 across the globe. Among them as much as 90% are living with diabetes type 2 while the remaining manage diabetes type 1 daily with insulin dosage. Recent research into the management of diabetes has found convincing evidence that diabetes type 2 can indeed be prevented and even delayed in high risk individuals through better diet, exercise and lifestyle choices.” who.org
Type 1 diabetes is common in children and young adults. It may account for up to 10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes accounts for up to 95% of all diagnosed cases.
Gestational diabetes is glucose intolerance that is diagnosed in some women during pregnancy. In most cases, 5 to 10 years after pregnancy, these women who have up to 50% chance of developing diabetes.
Risk factors
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Global Diabetes Facts
- 3.2 million deaths are attributable to diabetes every year.
- one in 20 deaths is attributable to diabetes; adding up to 8700 deaths everyday and six deaths every minute.
- at least one in 10 deaths among adults aged 35 to 64 is attributable to diabetes.
- three-quarters of the deaths among people with diabetes aged under 35 are due to their condition.
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The following are some of the risk factors:
1. genetic
2. environmental factors
3. autoimmune
4. older age
5. obesity
6. physical inactivity
7. race/ethnicity
8. family history
9. surgery
10. malnutrition, etc
Prevention
Lifestyle changes have been proven to prevent this illness among the high-risk group. The strategies to prevent diabetes include a healthy diet and physical activity. Some drugs like metformin have also been found to be effective in preventing the sickness especially in obese young people.
Prediabetics
are people who are at increased risk of developing diabetes because of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). According to current studies, weight loss and increased physical activity among people with prediabetes prevents or delays diabetes. The best news is that, the change in lifestyle may even return blood glucose levels to normal.
Prediabetics are already at increased risk for other adverse health outcomes such as heart disease and stroke.
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