World Diabetes Day: 14 November

World Diabetes Day was observed every year across the world on 14 November to raise awareness about diabetes. Observance of day aims to pursue multilateral efforts to promote and improve human health and provide access to health-care treatment and education.
The theme for World Diabetes Day 2018 and 2019 is “The Family and Diabetes”. The two-year theme timeframe has been chosen to aise awareness of the impact that diabetes has on the family and support network of those affected and promote role of family in management, care, prevention and education of diabetes.

Background

The World Diabetes Day was instituted by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2007 by passing resolution A/RES/61/225. The resolution had encouraged Member States to develop national policies for prevention, treatment and care of diabetes.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic, progressive non-communicable disease (NCD) characterized by elevated levels of blood sugar (blood glucose). It occurs when (i) the pancreas does not produce enough of the insulin hormone, which regulates blood sugar (ii) the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t make enough insulin, and type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t make or use insulin very well, causing glucose to remain in the blood, which can lead to serious problems. The main symptom of diabetes is excess fatigue, frequent urination, dysentery, excessive thirst, etc. Diabetes can also be genetic, but its main cause is obesity, lack of adequate nutrition, etc. Insulin injection is given to the patient suffering from type 1 diabetes. Prevention of type 2 diabetes is quite possible.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2018