World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day

Every year on November 14, Endocrinologist's Day and World Diabetes Day are held all over the world. On this day, Canadian physician and physiologist Frederick Bunting was born, who, together with doctors Charles Best and John McLeod, played a decisive role in the discovery of insulin in 1922, a drug that saves the lives of people with diabetes, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize.
Hormones control a person's whole life - thanks to them we cry, laugh, love, rejoice and grieve.
It is endocrinologists who are on guard of our hormonal health, and this is truly jewelry and fine work. Reproduction and infertility, growth and sexual development, obesity, functioning of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands and pituitary gland are in the "field of view" of endocrinologists.
It is mandatory to monitor the level of hormones for both women and men, but with age, the problem of lack or overabundance of the production of certain hormones becomes more and more urgent.
Hormonal imbalance is fraught with the most serious diseases, where diabetes is one of the most severe in terms of consequences.
World Diabetes Day was established by the International Diabetes Federation (MDF) together with the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1991 in response to concerns about the increasing incidence of diabetes in the world. Since 2007, World Diabetes Day has been held under the auspices of the United Nations (UN). This day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in special resolution no. A/RES/61/225 of December 20, 2006.
The logo of World Diabetes Day is a blue circle. In many cultures, the circle symbolizes life and health, and the blue color means the sky that unites all peoples, and the color of the UN flag. The blue circle is an international symbol of diabetes awareness, it means the unity of the global diabetic community in the fight against the epidemic of diabetes.
Today, more than 463 million people suffer from diabetes in the world, while every second adult is not diagnosed. According to the calculations of the International Diabetes Federation in Kazakhstan, 735,200 people aged 20 to 79 years live with diabetes mellitus.
Every year, the IFD determines the key theme of the World Diabetes Day, based on the current agenda and existing problems in the fight against the disease. In 2020, due to the fact that the year was originally declared the Year of nurses, World Diabetes Day is held under the motto "Nurse and Diabetes". On this day, the special role of nurses in the lives of patients with diabetes mellitus is emphasized. Nurses take an active part in the interaction with the patient, as their care and support are vital.
About half of people suffering from type 2 diabetes do not know anything about their disease, which leads to its progression and severe complications. It can often take years from the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease to the diagnosis. Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of blindness, amputations and kidney failure.
Patients who have arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart failure or diabetes mellitus are strongly recommended to register at the place of residence in the polyclinic. People with these chronic diseases are at risk of severe coronavirus pneumonia.
Clinical observations have revealed the mutual influence of coronavirus and diabetes. On the one hand, the presence of diabetes implies an increased risk of serious complications in patients with COVID-19, up to deaths. Statistics show that from 20 to 30% of those who died due to coronavirus suffered from diabetes mellitus.
The risk group for diabetes mellitus includes people with a burdened heredity, overweight, suffering from cardiovascular pathology, as well as people over 45 years old. People at risk need to monitor blood glucose once a year.
In order to keep the disease under control and live a full life, it is necessary to: avoid excess weight; exercise; give up smoking and excessive alcohol consumption; regularly monitor blood glucose, blood pressure, total cholesterol; at least once a month undergo an examination by an endocrinologist, at least once a year – a full medical examination; do not expose yourself to stress; take medications strictly as prescribed by a doctor; follow a therapeutic diet.
In the context of the spread of Covid-19, it is necessary to remember that diabetes mellitus and coronavirus are a dangerous combination. In patients with diabetes mellitus, the risk of developing serious complications in case of infection with Covid-19 is significantly higher. Therefore, now diabetics need to monitor their well-being especially. High glucose levels reduce immunity, and therefore it must be controlled to prevent deterioration of health.
In diabetic pathology, a new viral strain poses a serious threat due to the complicated prolonged course of pneumonia and the high probability of developing respiratory failure. When infected with Covid-19, it is important to monitor blood sugar levels and timely adjust hypoglycemic therapy.
And remember: if you, no matter at what age, notice a constant feeling of thirst, rapid weight loss or weight gain, dry mouth, frequent toilet visits, pustular skin lesions that do not heal for a long time, increased fatigue – consult a doctor. Perhaps the cause of your malaise is a pathological level of blood glucose.
The basic rules for the prevention of diabetes mellitus
– lead a healthy lifestyle, get rid of bad habits;
- control/normalize body weight;
- keep physically active;
- stick to a healthy diet (reduce sugar and saturated fat intake);
- take care of yourself and be healthy!
Health to you and your loved ones, dear people!