Diabetes
Ed Damiano (R) shows the insulin infusion set which delivers insulin to his 12-year-old son David who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 11 months-old. [Representational image]Reuters

Launched by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 1991, the World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on November 14.

The theme for World Diabetes Day 2016 is "Eyes on Diabetes," and organisers will focus on:

  • Spreading awareness regarding the importance of screening to guarantee an early analysis
  • Early diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes
  • Using treatments to deduct the risks of getting any serious complications

As per IDF statistics, 415 million adult diabetics existed in 2015. The number is expected to rise to 642 million by 2040.

Coping with diabetes

The basics that every diabetic follows usually include switching to a sugar substitute, but that too is no considered to be a healthy choice to opt for. Sugar substitutes contain an artificial sweetener called aspartame, consuming it for a prolonged period can lead to various side-effects which can be mild or severe.

"Aspartame can give common side effects like bloating, indigestion, nausea n constipation. Uncommon side effects are increasing visceral fats, memory loss, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia," Dr Abhay Vispute, a Diabetologist from SRV Hospital, Mumbai, told International Business Times India.

Dr Vispute also informed us about various other ways to keep diabetes under control apart from taking insulin therapy, which most of the patients are scared of despite it being a safer option which avoids heart and kidney related complications.

New insulin like Trulyciti which you can be taken once a week is another choice diabetics got to manage their ailment. Insulin nasal spray and insulin pumps are also available in the markets, but they turn out to be costlier than other options, he explained.

Diabetes in children

Type-1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes was found to be common among children; lately, type-2 diabetes, which used to be known as adult-onset diabetes, has started affecting them.

Type-1 diabetes makes the insulin secretion from the pancreas halt which leads to raised blood sugar levels in the body. On the other hand, type-2 diabetes is affecting kids because of obesity. Unhealthy lifestyle and family history of diabetes are other reasons which make kids prone to it. No insulin production and improper use of insulin by the body is observed in type-2 diabetic kids.

As per experts the children with type-1 diabetes will have to get insulin injections to control their blood sugar levels and children with type-2 diabetes can manage their blood sugar by following a healthy lifestyle which includes a healthy diet and exercise.

Type 2 diabetes can be controlled by:

  • Exercising regularly and being physically active
  • Maintaining the proper body weight
  • Consuming diet which includes small portion of healthy foods

On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, Dr Vispute gives one simple tip to all the diabetics across the world: "KEEP WALKING".

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