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Understanding diabetes mellitus risk factors, management through diet, exercise and medication management is the goal of this article. Knowledge of the types of diabetes mellitus, nutrition, care, medication management and goals of treatment can help patients with diabetes live longer and better lives.
Diabetes mellitus takes a toll on individual and economic health. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common form that has reached epidemic proportions. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 171 million people have diabetes worldwide – and by 2030 the number will double. There are six deaths every minute brought about by complications related to the disease.
The cause of diabetes is still being explored. There are known risk factors that have been targeted that can be prevented. Updated diabetes research news and current treatment information can help patients with diabetes by extending life, reducing pain and suffering, and curbing the cost of treatment.
Prevention through understanding the root cause of diabetes mellitus has become a research focus. Diabetes Type 1, diabetes type 2 and gestational diabetes mellitus have different characteristics and management of each differs. Education and compliance with medications, diet and exercise can help prevent and manage the disease for those with existing diabetes.
It is important to understand the burden of diabetes on health and well being on an individual and economic scale. Prevention, early detection and lifestyle intervention can reduce the individual and financial burden of diabetes mellitus.
Global burden of diabetes
The following statement from the WHO summarizes the global burden of diabetes:
“A diabetes epidemic is underway. An estimated 30 million people worldwide had diabetes in 1985. A decade later, the global burden of diabetes was estimated to be 135 million. The latest WHO estimate – for the number of people with diabetes mellitus, worldwide, in 2000 – is 171 million. This is likely to increase to at least 366 million by 2030. Two major concerns are that much of this increase in diabetes will occur in developing countries, due to population growth, ageing, unhealthy diets, obesity and sedentary lifestyles, and that there is a growing incidence of Type 2 diabetes – which accounts for about 90% of all cases – at a younger age. In developed countries most people with diabetes are above the age of retirement. In developing countries those most frequently affected are in the middle, productive years of their lives, aged between 35 and 64.
The number of deaths attributed annually to diabetes is around 3.2 million. Diabetes has become one of the major causes of premature illness and death in most countries, mainly through the increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).”
According to the International Diabetes Federation:
“The recent Global Risks 2010 report issued by the World Economic Forum identifies chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as one of the most important threats to the world’s agenda and a severe risk for global economic loss. NCDs, including diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and cancer, are already extraordinarily costly to governments and the private sector, crowding out essential monies for needed government services and reducing profits.”
Diabetes Symbol
Diabetes Symbol : Blue circle is a global symbol for diabetes mellitus
Individual Burden of Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes causes individual pain and suffering. The risk of heart attack and stroke increases for individuals affected with the disease. Diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of vision loss, kidney disease and limb amputation and shortened lifespan.
Understanding the importance of diet, exercise and medications can significantly reduce complications of diabetes. Good control of blood sugar can reduce complications that can lead to death by 33 percent, shown by “The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial and Follow-up Study”. The results showed that “sustained” lowering of blood sugar levels can prevent nerve damage and slow the onset and progression of eye and kidney disease even for diabetics with poor glucose control.
The findings also revealed a 60 percent reduction in nerve disease with intensive blood sugar control. Neuropathy can affect any organ of the body and is often the cause of foot injury that lead to amputations for patients with diabetes.
Limb loss causes significant disability and suffering to individuals and families, increases the risk of falls and leads to deficits in performing activities of daily living. Nerve damage from diabetes also impairs individuals with diabetes ability to feel pain related to heart attack, posing significant danger.
Risks of diabetes mellitus
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is present in 90 percent of patients diagnosed with the disease that is a lifelong illness brought about by obesity, age and high blood pressure. Genetic risk factors include being African American, Hispanic and Native American.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus has genetic components that may be unavoidable, making awareness, symptoms and screening for the disease important.
Understanding diabetes mellitus risk factors and taking action to manage the disease are important for reducing the burden of diabetes.
What can be done?
Obesity is one of the leading risk factors for developing diabetes mellitus. For selected patients, reducing the burden of diabetes mellitus with gastric surgery has been recommended.
A position statement issued by The Diabetes Surgery Summit, November 2009 states, “Surgery should be considered for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in patient who are inadequately controlled by lifestyle and medical therapy.”
Research effort has been directed at determining the effect of lifestyle changes combined with medication for preventing diabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes. Even small amounts of weight loss can have a significant impact on preventing diabetes.
Results of the “Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study (DPPOS), a 10-year follow-up study of patients who participated in the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), showed that exercise, reducing calorie and fat intake and regular visits with a health care provider reduced the development of type 2 diabetes by 58 percent after three years.
How to know if you have diabetes
Testing for diabetes mellitus include fasting glucose levels, Hemoglobin A1c test and oral glucose tolerance testing. Patients with diabetes may have no symptoms until medical attention is needed.
The goal of diabetes mellitus treatment is attention to lowering blood sugar levels, preventing complications and developing necessary skills that include daily monitoring of glucose levels, learning which foods to eat, how to take medications, how to treat low and high blood sugar levels, foot and skin care and what to do during illness and emergencies. Visit our site regularly for updates that include the latest diabetes mellitus research news, diabetes diet, diabetes information, potential cures and diabetes facts.
References:
IDF
NIH
DPPOS
