Dr Raj Kumar
(WDD) is celebrated every year on November 14. WDD was created in 1991 by IDF and the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to the rapid rise of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the world. Since 2006 the WDD became an official United Nations Day with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225. November 14th was chosen as WDD because it is the birthday of Sir Frederick Grant Banting, a Canadian physician and scientist who along with Charles Best is credited with the discovery of insulin, a hormone of critical importance in regulating blood sugar levels. .
This year the theme,” Access to diabetes education “underpins the large multi-year theme of excess to care” In the lead upto and 14 November, WHO will highlight not only the challenges, but more importantly the solutions to scaling up access to diabetes medicines and care.
In India we still have myths about the treatment of diabetes mellitus many people are still going for magical cure as a result they fail to achieve the blood glucose control. Inspite of increasing the awareness still 70 percent of the population don’t achieve the targeted goal of blood sugar levels thus leading to chronic micro as well as macro vascular complications in the form of neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy and marked increase in the cardiovascular events leading on to the increase mortality and morbidity. Thus, effecting the economy of the country. Inspite of the availability of different medicines and insulin still the doctor at the periphery or in towns don’t upgrade the treatment and initiate insulin properly. The inertia on the part of the clinicians don’t allow the patients to achieve proper control and thus increasing the burden of complications. Thus this education is not only for the patients but for the clinicians as well who are rendering the treatment.
There is now extensive evidence on the optimal management of diabetes, offering the opportunity of improving the immediate and long-term quality of life of those living with the condition. Unfortunately such optimal management is not reaching many, perhaps the majority, of the people who could benefit. Reasons include the size and complexity of the evidence-base, and the complexity of diabetes care itself. One result is a lack of proven cost-effective resources for diabetes care. Another result is diversity of standards of clinical practice. Guidelines are part of the process which seek to address those problems. IDF has produced a series of guidelines on different aspects of diabetes management, prevention and care.
While there are a number of factors that influence the development of type 2 diabetes, it is evident that the most influential are lifestyle and behavioral changes commonly associated with urbanization. These include consumption of unhealthy foods and inactive lifestyles with sedentary behavior. Studies from different parts of the world have established that lifestyle modification with physical activity and/or healthy diet can delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Modern lifestyles are characterized by physical inactivity and long sedentary periods. Community-based interventions can reach individuals and families through campaigns, education, social marketing and encourage physical activity to at least between three to five days a week, for a minimum of 30-45 minutes.
Taking a life course perspective is essential for preventing type 2 diabetes and its complications. Early in life, when eating and physical activity habits are established and when the long-term regulation of energy balance may be programmed, there is an especially critical window to prevent the development of overweight and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Healthy lifestyles can improve health outcomes at later stages of life as well.
Pre diabetes means you have a higher than normal blood sugar level. It’s not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes yet. But without lifestyle changes, adults and children with pre diabetes are at high risk to develop type 2 diabetes. If you have pre diabetes, the long-term damage of diabetes especially to your heart, blood vessels and kidneys may already have been started. There’s good news, however. Progression from pre diabetes to type 2 diabetes isn’t inevitable. At least 70 percent of these people become diabetic in 5 years time, thus, there should be an endeavor to start intervention when it is reversible. Eating healthy foods, making physical activity part of your daily routine and staying at a healthy weight can help bring your blood sugar level back to normal.
Eat More Veggies
Plant-based fiber fills you up without raising blood sugar. Vegetables are also full of nutrients. Aim for at least 3-5 servings a day. That’s ½ cup cooked or 1 cup raw. You can choose fresh, frozen, or canned. But be sure to go for the low- or no-sodium kind. Fill half your plate with colorful, nonstarchy vegetables. Examples include carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, and leafy greens like spinach or kale.
Cut Back on Starchy Vegetables
These have more carbohydrates than their nonstarchy counterparts. But they have healthy nutrients, too. If you use the plate method, give them a quarter of the space. Starchy vegetables include white potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, and winter squash like acorn or butternut.
Snack on Fruit
These plant-based sweets have sugar, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid them. Fruit is packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Aim for two to three servings a day. That could be one small apple or half cup of strawberries. Ask your doctor if you should opt for low-sugar choices. That includes berries, kiwi, melons, and oranges. Try pairing your fruit with healthy proteins like natural nut butter, Greek yogurt, or almonds.
Choose Whole Grains
Unlike refined grains, whole grains have all their original fiber and other nutrients. You can eat them for breakfast or as a side dish for lunch or dinner. They come in lots of forms, including oatmeal, brown rice, whole-wheat bread or pasta, and quinoa. You can even make cookies with whole-grain flours. If you buy a packaged product, make sure you see the word “whole” before grain on the label.
Add More Nuts and Seeds
Grab a handful of any kind you like. Just make sure they’re unsalted. And stick to the serving size, about an ounce. Nuts and seeds have healthy fats, but they’re also high in calories. Good choices include walnuts, pistachios, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and cashews.
Add Some Protein
Try including protein with all your meals and snacks. It helps you feel full and slows how fast carbohydrates go into your bloodstream. That’s important when it comes to keeping your blood sugar steady. Sources include fatty fish and seafood, plant-based protein like beans and lentils, eggs and low-fat dairy, and lean meats.
Avoid Sugary Drinks
These beverages spike blood sugar because they don’t come with other nutrients — like fiber and protein — to slow down the digestion process. If you have prediabetes, it’s a good idea to limit or skip the following 100 percent fruit juice, soda, and sweetened coffee drinks. Try to avoid energy or sports drinks, mixed alcohol cocktails, and lemonade or sweet tea. Experts aren’t sure how artificial sweeteners affect people with prediabetes. Ask your doctor if they’re OK for you.
Limit Added Sugars
Read the Nutrition Facts label to see how much added sugar is in a packaged food or drink. You can use the 5-20 rule: 5 percent daily value (DV) or less means it’s a low source of sugar. If it’s 20 percent DV or higher, then you’ll want to put it back. You’ll find added sugar in lots of processed foods, such as cookies, candy, and cakes. It’s also in flavored oatmeal, ketchup, and jelly.
Let us take pledge on this world diabetes day to spread the awareness among all diabetics to achieve optimum blood glucose control by proper intake of diet exercise and medication. All efforts should be made to alienate their suffering and prolonging healthy life without complications.
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