World Health Day 2016: Together on the front lines against diabetes
This 7th of April, the WHO calls on all health care providers, partners, advocates and most importantly families to come together on the front lines against diabetes for World Health Day 2016.
The global prevalence of diabetes has been steadily increasing in the past few decades. In the Western Pacific Region alone, it is estimated that 131 million people (8.4% prevalence) were living with diabetes in 2014.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious, chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. The hormone insulin regulates blood sugar or glucose.
There are two types of diabetes: type 1, when the body cannot make enough insulin; and type 2, when the body cannot use insulin effectively.
When diabetes is left uncontrolled, elevated blood sugar may seriously damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. This disease and its complications affect people even at a younger age.
There is also gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a temporary condition during pregnancy where a woman’s blood sugar is above normal but not yet at the level of diabetes.
The normal blood sugar level and the importance of early screening
The normal fasting blood sugar level is below 6.1 millimoles per litre (mmol/L) / 110 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL). Fasting means not eating any food or drinking any liquid (except pure water) for at least eight hours before blood is drawn for testing. The fasting blood sugar level in diabetes is at least 7 mmol/L (126 mg/dL) or higher.
It is best to know one’s status by early screening of fasting blood sugar level. Studies suggest that there are benefits to early screening and detection, because it allows the earlier treatment of related cardiovascular risk factors.