Not only is November National Diabetes Month but World Diabetes Day falls on 14th November 2022. Diabetes Awareness Month has taken place annually since 1975 and was founded by the American Diabetes Association. It has been increasingly popular internationally over the last few years. World Diabetes Day takes place on the birthday of Frederick Banting who co-discovered insulin.
These campaigns are about encouraging people to be more aware of the signs and symptoms of Diabetes so that it can be diagnosed early, which is crucial to managing this disease, can save lives and prevent a medical emergency as well as funding the scientific and medical research.
Type 1 diabetes is a condition where the body does not make enough insulin and therefore causes blood sugar levels to become too high. The body attacks the insulin producing cells in the pancreas which prevents them from making it, but we all need insulin to be able to live. It ensures that the glucose in our blood enters our cells in order to give us fuel and energy. Those with type 1 diabetes can still break down carbohydrates from consumed food and drink to turn it into glucose, but the absence of insulin prevents it from entering the body cells which then causes the blood sugar levels to continue to rise.
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic condition that often presents itself early in life. Research is still ongoing to find out what causes type 1 diabetes. Scientists are working hard to find a trigger but we do know that it has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle.
Before a diagnosis there are some tell tale signs to look out for. These can include feeling more thirsty, needing to go to the toilet more often and losing weight without trying. This is because the body is trying to get rid of the glucose through your kidneys.
There are 4Ts of type 1 diabetes:
These symptoms can appear quite quickly over a few days or weeks, particularly in children, so it’s vital to book an appointment with your GP as soon as you notice any of these signs. They will be able to help you with the right treatments in order to manage your symptoms and glycemic levels.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the insulin made by the pancreas doesn’t do what it is supposed to or there isn’t enough to keep your blood glucose levels from rising. It generally develops over time and is usually life-style related. Just as with type 1 diabetes, the body still breaks down carbohydrates to turn into glucose and the pancreas responds and produces insulin. But, the insulin is not effective and so your body tries to create more to keep up. This can eventually wear the pancreas out and then the body will produce less and less, raising blood sugar levels and causing the risk of hyperglycemia.
Whilst there isn’t a complete cure for type 2 diabetes, there is great evidence to suggest that it can be put into remission by losing weight. By reducing blood sugar levels through diet and lifestyle, blood sugar levels can be reduced to a pre-diabetic range eliminating the need for medication.
Symptoms of type 2 develop more slowly than type 1 and many people with type 2 diabetes may not even notice the symptoms. However, some of the most common symptoms include:
We stock a vast choice of high quality and great value insulin needles and syringes. They offer a safe and simple solution for administering medication to those who need to manage their glycemic levels. Perfect for medical professionals and those who need to self administer, our syringes and needles are available in a wide range of sizes and packs as well as complete cycle packs ensuring that you have everything you need to manage your condition without running out. Please always seek medical advice from your healthcare professional who will be able to recommend a needle length and technique that is suitable for you.
The awareness campaigns have been brought about to help people recognise the signs and check to see if they are at risk. Increasing awareness of both types of diabetes and fundraising so that more research can be carried out can only help to manage these conditions and improve the lives of the many people who suffer from the symptoms. Someone is diagnosed with diabetes every two minutes so such campaigns are very important and could change someone’s life.
If you’d like to get involved or donate visit the Diabetes UK or Join The Diabetes Community websites.
Sources:
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/get_involved/world-diabetes-day
www.diabetes.co.uk
