Understanding Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus, or more commonly known as 'Sugar' or 'Diabetes' in our part of the world, diagnosis of which leaves permanent imprints and a complete and comprehensive shift in one's lifestyle, is characterized by inability of pancreas to produce enough level of hormone insulin, resulting in sustained high blood sugar levels and need of immediate preventive medical care.

Types and Symptoms

Diabetes usually categorized into Type 1 and Type 2, with Type 1 developing typically in childhood attributing to genetic and environmental factors and Type 2 being the most common in adults, with recent surge seen in younger people also, is perceived as a 'Silent Killer' due to the serious complications it can lead to such as cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, retinopathy, kidney disease to name a few, if not being treated timely and effectively.

The condition can be identified through symptoms such as excessive weight loss, increased thirst, excessive urination, blurred vision and fatigue.

A Global and National Crisis

The world has seen an enormous surge in the population growing from 7% in 1990 to 14% of adults in 2022 between the age of 18 years and above, being affected by the disease. Taking into account, the figures are even alarming when it comes to Pakistan, with 26.7% of the country population (33 million adults) affected from the disease with country posing highest prevalence rate in the world.

Such staggering figures urge one not only to delve deeply into the causes of this disease's development among individuals but also to carefully design a lifestyle regime, at both individual and societal levels, that may facilitate prevention and cure.

With the increasing prevalence and mortality associated with it, it becomes an emotional and economic burden on the patient and a socio-economic burden on the country's economy, making it even more imperative to devise and develop ways that can help reduce its recurrence among people.

Sedentary lifestyles, obesity, and poor dietary habits are as much contributor towards an individual developing the disease as hereditary or genetic traits are and in a developing country like Pakistan, poor or limited access to health care facilities makes the situation even worse.

National Action Plan

Realizing the risk and long-term effects, the disease poses, on a larger scale, the National Action Plan for Non-communicable Disease Prevention, Control and Health Promotion in Pakistan (NAP-NCD) is an effort, being carried out to prevent and control the incidence of diabetes. This is achieved through surveillance and the control of risk factors, a continuing Medical Education (CME) program for healthcare providers, and the assurance of the availability of required medications.

These are being further strengthened by conducting capacity building workshops within in health and community sector practitioners and social workers on the lines of registration, treatment and referral protocols.

Is It Enough?

But within a country of more than 255 million, underdeveloped systems and structures, a struggling economy and scarcity of basic health care resources, would any such measure be sufficient to cope with the ever-rising risks, prevalence and recurrence of disease, i.e. Diabetes mellitus? The answer is a solid 'No'.

Lifestyle as Medicine

In a situation, where there is no universally designed cure for diabetes, researches and studies have shown over time, a revamping of one's lifestyle, eating habits, weight watch can not only reduce the risk of having the condition but can significantly supplement the other wise complex management of the condition that involves several strategies. Adults and especially the elderly should be made aware of the importance of incorporating exercise and diet changes as a part of their daily routine, with the prevention strategies like walk, exercise, sports, outdoor activities, being made part of an individual life right from their school years.

Prevention Through Education

Awareness through education at a young age, can prove to be the strongest tool in preventing the occurrence of disease among people, at a later stage in life. It is important to note, there are some diabetes risk factors you can't change, such as your genetics/family history, age and race, however, some very basic life style changes can substantially help reduce the risk of developing disease in the first place.

• Committing one self to a minimum of 30 minutes' walk in a day
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Managing your stress effectively
• Eating a balanced nutritious diet

Living with Diabetes

Being diagnosed with diabetes is a life-changing event, however, in no way it implies that one cannot continue living a happy and healthy life. Being a global health concern, all it requires is consistent care, diligence and an all-inclusive healthy lifestyle at the individual, community and society level as a whole, that may help develop a better grasp in not only preventing but also managing the condition.