On this World Diabetes Day where the theme is,” Empowering Global Health” let us take a moment to get to know diabetes in and out by learning the unknown and busting myths surrounding this notorious chronic illness. 

Diabetes or more popularly known among the lay people as “sugar” has progressed itself into becoming a global health threat over the years. It is evident because more than half a  billion of the world’s population is suffering from diabetes with Sri Lanka having around 11% of its population as diabetic; a figure very alarming that marks us as the 6^th most diabetic in the Asia Pacific region.

Hearing the word “cancer” gives you chills but does the word “diabetes” do so? Most certainly not. But what if I tell you diabetes is just as bad as cancer? Cancer kills you abruptly whereas diabetes kills you slowly but surely. It’s just a matter of time. Therefore it’s high time we stop treating diabetes like it’s the norm and be more concerned and informed about it.

What exactly is diabetes?

Diabetes is one of the most common non-communicable diseases with a long list of complications attached to it. It is incurable but worry not as it can be controlled with medication and lifestyle modifications.

Does insulin ring a bell to you? In diabetes, there’s impaired secretion and functioning of this very hormone. Not many seem to know but diabetes comes in two forms: type 1 and 2. While type 1 is not preventable, type 2 is. There’s a complete absence of insulin secretion in type 1 causing the blood glucose levels to skyrocket and people with diabetes type 1 therefore often manifest symptoms in the early stages of life; particularly childhood. Nick Jonas from the famous Jonas Brothers is a type 1 diabetic. However, this isn’t the case with type 2. It’s the commonly found type with impaired secretion and resistance to insulin’s action. Insulin reduces your blood glucose to normal levels and makes your tissues use them in an effective way.

How will I know I have diabetes? 

Diabetes is a silent killer, quite literally. Some people have been having the disease for more than ten years or so but only get to know they’re diabetic after they develop complications. Therefore, it’s crucial to constantly get check-ups done and see if you’re diabetic or not. 

If you’re feeling too thirsty for no reason, losing weight despite increased appetite, and constantly wanting to urinate(often during the night!), you may be having diabetes. Extreme exhaustion, blurry vision, and slow-healing wounds can be warning signs too. 

Is everyone at risk of developing diabetes?

While every person does pose a risk of becoming a diabetic, it should be noted that the risk may vary. Some may have a high risk whereas the lucky ones have a low risk.

If you’re a sweet tooth and a carb lover who prefers being a couch potato without even wanting to break a sweat then you might as well be ready to welcome diabetes into your life. If there’s a family history of diabetes, you should be even more cautious.

However, there are exceptions. Even if all these bad habits are practiced, one may still not have diabetes. Instead, a few other diseases like dyslipidemia or “cholesterol” as lay people call it, might knock on their doorstep sooner or later. Diabetic or not, it’s worth staying healthy. However, an unlucky lot, despite the practice of good habits can still end up having diabetes. Simply put, that is just the universe playing cruel tricks on the innocent!

What are these complications and why is it a big deal?

Diabetes and complications go hand in hand. Apart from being a life-long illness, adding salt to the wound also results in a no.of complications bringing debilitating effects to the diabetic. Some of the most notorious complications are heart attacks, strokes, diabetic foot ulcers/wounds, kidney damage, and even visual problems like cataracts and the list goes on.

It’s quite amusing and rather heart-breaking to see how light-heartedly people tend to perceive diabetes. Ah! It’s just diabetes. As long as I’m on medication with a little control over my diet and some exercise, I’d be good to go. That is quite frankly the attitude most people who aren’t diabetic have and unfortunately, even some of the diabetics have. It takes them some time to understand how great the situation is and how worried they should be. It’ll of course be too late by then.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re young or old, male or female, pose a high or low risk, or even symptomatic or not, diabetes might be lurking inside of you without you even knowing. Therefore you must stay alert, practice favorable health habits, try being stress-free, and go for regular check-ups because, after all, it’s a DO OR DIE-ABETES SITUATION!

Written by: Rtr. Inuri Hettiaracchi

Graphic design by: Rtr. Sathmi Dinanja