Main Category: Diabetes
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November 14 is World Diabetes Day (WDD), a worldwide initiative to raise awareness and understanding of the global diabetes pandemic. To mark this event, Andrew Lansley, CBE MP, Secretary of State for Health will be the principal guest speaker at a meeting bringing together members of the diabetes community this evening, as part of a reception focusing on issues currently faced by patients, healthcare professionals, politicians and policy makers throughout the UK. To coincide with this reception, the Merlin Entertainments London Eye will be illuminated blue, representing the WDD blue circle logo, both tonight and on November 14.
The number of people affected by diabetes continues to increase at an alarming rate. Over 2.8 million people in the UK are currently living with the disease1 and by 2025 it is estimated that this will increase to over 4 million people due to ageing populations, sedentary lifestyles and increasing rates of obesity.2 A further estimated 1 million are living with type 2 diabetes but are not aware of it.3 Throughout the week preceding WDD the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) will also be projecting a selection of hard hitting diabetes facts and figures onto London's Shell Tower to highlight this growing pandemic.
"Diabetes can affect anyone, at anytime," notes Sir Michael Hirst, the President-Elect of the IDF. "Raising awareness of diabetes, the risk factors and warning signs and encouraging people to seek help if they have concerns is therefore vital. It is also important for us to help people with diabetes better understand the condition to promote effective management and prevention of complications such as cardiovascular disease."
WDD was created by the IDF and the World Health Organization (WHO) and its member associations in 1991, and is held every year on November 14. The campaign slogan for 2010 is 'Let's take control of diabetes. Now.' with a focus on raising awareness of diabetes, prevention and effective management of the disease.
Within the UK, it is currently estimated that 10% of the NHS budget is spent on diabetes.2 This works out at ￡9 billion a year or ￡1 million per hour.2 Around 7% of this is attributable to the cost of prescription medicines and a significant proportion is made up of the costs of treating serious long-term complications of the disease.2 Currently 40% of people in the UK with diabetes are at high risk of complications because their glucose control is not to target.4 As well as raising awareness among the general public, this year's WDD campaign aims to improve the knowledge of people with diabetes to help facilitate effective management of the disease and prevent such complications.
Novo Nordisk and Bayer Diabetes Care are supporting WDD through the sponsorship of diabetes awareness imaging on London's Shell Tower. Both companies are dedicated to advancing diabetes care for the benefit of the growing number of people living with diabetes.
"Novo Nordisk believes promoting greater awareness of diabetes and encouraging best-practice sharing throughout global diabetes communities, is key to fighting this disease," said Viggo Birch, Managing Director of Novo Nordisk UK and Ireland. "World Diabetes Day is an important event for us and the rest of the diabetes community and we are pleased to support this campaign."Sarah Millington, Chief Executive, of Bayer Diabetes Care in the UK added, "Bayer is proud to be associated with IDF and to play its part in activities, such as the World Diabetes Day reception and the diabetes awareness imaging on Shell Tower, which aim to increase awareness, prevention and education in the field of diabetes."
About Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas either does not produce enough insulin, and/or the body cannot effectively use the insulin it does produce. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Hyperglycaemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time may lead to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.1
There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. In the UK 90% of adults with diabetes have type 22, which results from the body's ineffective use of insulin.1
Type 2 diabetes is largely the result of excess body weight and physical inactivity.1 Until recently, type 2 diabetes was seen only in adults but it is now also occurring in obese children.1 Symptoms may be similar to those of type 1 diabetes, but are often less marked. As a result, the disease may only be diagnosed several years after onset, once complications have already arisen.1
People with type 2 diabetes can lead a full and active life, however, there are certain lifestyle factors, such as healthy eating and regular exercise, they will need to consider to help manage their condition. As the disease progresses, anti-diabetes tablets, incretin mimetics or insulin injections may need to be taken.
In type 1 diabetes the body does not produce insulin at all as a result of the body's defence system attacking its insulin producing cells. Treatment involves daily insulin injections, in conjunction with healthy eating and regular exercise. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children or young adults.2
Diabetes risks and warning signs5,6
-- The warning signs of diabetes include:
- frequent urination
- excessive thirst
- weight loss
- extreme tiredness
- blurred vision
- slow-healing wounds
-- The risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:
- obesity and being overweight (if your waist is 31.5 inches or over for women; 35 inches or over for Asian men and 37 inches or over for white and black men)
- lack of exercise
- previously identified glucose intolerance
- unhealthy diet
- being over 40 years old if you are white, or being over 25 years old for people that are black, Asian or from a minority ethnic group
- a family history of type 2 diabetes
- a history of gestational diabetes
- ethnicity - higher rates of diabetes have been reported in Asians, Hispanics, indigenous peoples (USA, Canada, Australia) and African Americans
In Type 1 diabetes the signs and symptoms are usually very obvious and develop very quickly, typically over a few weeks. In Type 2 diabetes the signs and symptoms may not be so obvious, as the condition develops slowly over a period of years and may only be picked up in a routine medical check up.5
References
1. Diabetes UK, Reports and Statistics - Diabetes prevalence 2010. See here. Accessed 27.10.10
2. Diabetes UK. Diabetes in the UK 2010: Key Statistics on diabetes. 2010. See here. Accessed 22.09.10.
3. Diabetes UK. One million people in the UK unaware they have type 2 diabetes. See here. Accessed 07.10.10.
4. National Diabetes Audit, The NHS Information Centre, 2010. See here. Accessed 17.08.10.
5. Diabetes UK.Diabetes Symptoms. See here. Accessed 11.02.10.
6. Diabetes UK. Causes and risk factors.Type 2 diabetes. See here. Accessed 11.02.10.
Source:
Diabetes UK
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