World Diabetes Day

TODAY is World Diabetes Day according to the Annual Health Calendar of the Department of Health.

Originally, the concept was created by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 1991 with the aim of elevating diabetes awareness and promotion of healthful habits to prevent diabetes development. In support to IDF is the World Health Organization, which has been more than ever concerned with the escalating cases of diabetes worldwide.

However, it was only on December 20, 2006 that World Diabetes Day received formal recognition from the United Nations General Assembly and the observance of such a special day annually beginning 2007 by virtue of UN resolution 61/225.

Medical historical accounts show that the significance of choosing November 14 as the World Diabetes Day coincides with the birthday of Frederick Banting, a medical scientist who first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1921.

According to IDF, the theme for 2014 to 2016 is: “Healthy Living and Diabetes.”

Worldwide, this special day for diabetes is being observed among 160 countries including the Philippines.

Furthermore, IDF suggests the following activities to do today in support of the World Diabetes day: free screening for diabetes and its complications; radio and television programmes; sports events; poster and leaflet campaigns; diabetes workshops and exhibitions; fun runs; political events; press conferences; and most importantly, newspaper articles related to diabetes.

The Merck Manual of Medical Information defines Diabetes, particularly Diabetes Mellitus as a disorder in which blood sugar levels are abnormally high because the body does not release or use insulin adequately.

Accordingly, there are two major types of diabetes mellitus: type I produces little or no insulin at all while type II makes it hard for the body to recognize and use insulin despite its normal production by the pancreas.

The three cardinal signs of diabetes mellitus are excessive urination (polyuria); excessive thirst (polydipsia) and excessive hunger (polyphagia).

Statistical data share that from 1999 to 2002, diabetes is the 9th leading cause of death in the Philippines.

As of 2013, it is estimated that one person dies of diabetes-related complications every 10 seconds. As a matter of fact, diabetes mellitus is the largest cause of amputation, stroke, blindness and end-stage renal failure.

By 2030, the number of people with diabetes mellitus is expected to rise to a staggering 438 million or an increase of more than 50 percent in 20 years. One plausible population theory applicable to this is the epidemiologic transition theory which maintains that as life expectancy of the population increases, the number of chronic and lifestyle-related diseases swells as well.

Therefore, it is wise to do preventive measures today than be sorry tomorrow.

The DOH urges individuals to be cautious with the following findings:

(1) fasting blood sugar level beyond 126 mg/dL;

(2) overweight;

(3) hypertensive;

(4) women who have delivered a baby weighing over 9 pounds;

(5) women diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

[Email: polo.journalist@gmail.com]

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(The columnist is an Instructor of Tagoloan Community College for the four-year Bachelor of Science in Midwifery Program. As an instructor, he practices his professions at Tagoloan BEMONC Facility. He is a registered nurse and a registered midwife by professions. Currently, he is finishing his Master of Arts in Sociology concentrating on population studies as his area of interest at Xavier University. He has been writing as a columnist of this paper since December 2008. His column comes out every Tuesday and Friday.)

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