The prevalence of diabetes is increasing in the world. Today, there are 382 million diabetics and 316 million prediabetes patients in the world. In 2035, it is expected that there will be 592 million diabetics in the world. 5.1 million people in the United States die each year from diabetes and related complications. Diabetes and diabetes-related health problems have an important place in our country. In our country, 14 out of every 100 people have diabetes, and 12 out of every 100 people have hidden diabetes. World Diabetes Day, which is celebrated on 14 November every year, is the leading awareness campaign of the diabetes world. This campaign was initiated by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1991, when the increasing rates of diabetes mellitus all over the world became a major concern. Every year, on 14 November, “World Diabetes Day” is held in memory of the birth anniversary of biochemist Fredrick BANTIG, who discovered insulin in 1921 and made it possible to treat millions of patients with diabetes.
In order to draw attention to the issue of diabetes and its problems, 14 November Diabetes Day has an emblem in the form of a Blue Ring. Blue color, hope; The ring also represents unity. Scientific studies have shown that there are over 7 million people with diabetes in our country, and about 3 million people are unaware that they have diabetes. It has been revealed that the incidence of diabetes has increased rapidly in parallel with the increase in obesity and one out of every seven people over the age of 20 has diabetes. According to the results of a large study (TURDEP-II), the prevalence of diabetes has increased by 90 percent in our country in the last 12 years, from 7.7 percent to 13.7 percent, and the obesity rate has increased by 44 percent. It is known that a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet and the increase in obesity have a significant contribution to this result. Diabetes can be briefly defined as the body’s inability to use and store blood sugar properly. “Diabetes” occurs in the absence or ineffectiveness of insulin. The amount of sugar in the blood increases and is excreted by the kidneys in the urine. There are two types of the disorder: Insulin-dependent diabetes and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. If the person’s blood sugar level is higher than normal but not high enough to diagnose diabetes, then the person can be defined as prediabetic, that is, latent diabetes. It has been determined by studies that most of the people who are pre-diabetic develop Type 2 diabetes within 10 years. People with diabetes can often experience: weakness, excessive appetite, excessive thirst and drinking water, frequent urination, weight loss, blurred vision, skin infections, non-healing wounds. For the diagnosis of diabetes, blood sugar is checked after 10-12 hours of fasting. If one of the following criteria is met, the person may have diabetes. If the fasting blood sugar level is higher than 126 mg/dl, the blood sugar level measured at random is higher than 200 mg/dl, and the blood sugar level is 200 mg/dl or higher during the glucose tolerance test, the person may have diabetes. He should seek medical attention immediately. The most important form of treatment is life change. In the treatment of diabetes, diet therapy, exercise and medication are used in cases where sugar control cannot be achieved. Among drug treatments, there are oral antidiabetics and insulin treatment options. Unfortunately, there is no cure for diabetes completely. It is estimated that every 30 seconds in the world, a patient’s foot is amputated due to a diabetic foot ulcer. In addition, 50 percent of patients treated in dialysis units have diabetes. 10-20% of diabetic patients die due to renal failure. Every 10 seconds, three people in the world have diabetes, and every 15 seconds, two people die from diabetes-related causes. Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in many countries. Adult diabetics have up to 4 times the risk of cardiovascular events compared to their nondiabetic peers. 60-75% of diabetics die due to cardiovascular diseases (coronary artery disease and stroke). Diabetes shortens life expectancy between five and ten years. Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure treatment and blindness and non-traumatic amputation cases under 65 years of age worldwide. It is known that 2% of diabetics with diabetes duration of 15 years develop blindness and 10% develop severe vision loss.
The Following Precautions Are Recommended To Protect From Type 2 Diabetes And Its Complications:
Body weight suitable for height should be targeted and efforts should be made to maintain this weight.
Adequate and balanced nutrition; At least 5 (five) portions of vegetables and fruits should be consumed per day.
25-30% of daily energy should be provided from fats, the ratio of energy from saturated fatty acids
should be below 10%.
Simple carbohydrates such as sugar should not exceed ≤10% of daily energy, legumes and whole grain products should be preferred instead of simple carbohydrates
.
Daily salt intake should not exceed 5 g.
You should be physically active. At least 5 days a week, at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (for example, brisk walking exercises) should be done regularly. More physical activity is required for weight loss.
Smoking should not be used and excessive alcohol consumption should be avoided.
Currently, there is no effective method that can prevent Type 1 diabetes.
Early diagnosis is essential to prevent complications of diabetes.
Assist.Prof.Dr.Fevzi Balkan
Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Specialist
