{"id":2126,"date":"2016-12-20T00:39:12","date_gmt":"2016-12-20T00:39:12","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2016-12-20T00:39:12","modified_gmt":"2016-12-20T00:39:12","slug":"diabetes-made-simple-10-facts-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lovin.co\/dubai\/en\/feature\/diabetes-made-simple-10-facts-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Diabetes made simple – 10 facts you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

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You may have already heard that today is World Health Day\u00a0and that the World Health Organisation (WHO) are calling for global action to halt the\u00a0rise in diabetes\u00a0and improve care for people who suffer from the disease.<\/p>\n

In a survey done earlier this year by the\u00a0International Diabetes Federation (Diabetes Atlas) , it was discovered that out of the approximate 7.5 million adult population (between 20-79 years) in the UAE, a staggering\u00a0803,000 have been diagnosed with diabetes. They also estimated that approximately\u00a0327,000 \u00a0people\u00a0are still undiagnosed. This makes one in nine adults a diabetic.\u00a0In 2014 alone, in the UAE, an estimated 1,335 deaths were due to diabetes, with 80 per cent of them under 60.<\/p>\n

So what exactly is diabetes?\u00a0You’ve probably heard the word a lot and have a general idea that it’s something to do with sugar levels, insulin and needles but still haven’t quite got your head around what it is, how to prevent it and how to treat it.<\/p>\n

Well we’ve made it easy, here are the 10 things you need to know…<\/p>\n

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1.\u00a0What is diabetes?<\/h3>\n

The WHO defines diabetes as\u00a0“a chronic, metabolic disease characterised by elevated levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar), which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.”<\/p>\n

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Somebody checking their blood sugar level<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2.\u00a0Insulin, what is it and what does it have to do with diabetes?<\/h3>\n

Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas and is its primary function is to metabolise (digest) sugar in the blood.<\/p>\n

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3.\u00a0There are actually three types of Diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational\u00a0<\/h3>\n

4.\u00a0Type 1 diabetes<\/h3>\n

Formally known as insulin dependent diabetes, it\u00a0usually presents itself in childhood and is\u00a0a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin by itself.\u00a0Sufferers of type 1 diabetes will need to take insulin injections daily to regulate their blood sugars for their whole lives.<\/p>\n

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This is what an insulin needle looks like…it’s a\u00a0different kind of needle to the\u00a0one’s you get during a vaccination\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5.\u00a0Type 2 diabetes\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Formally known as\u00a0non insulin dependent diabetes, it’s\u00a0caused by\u00a0the body\u2019s ineffective use<\/strong> of insulin or because of\u00a0your body’s\u00a0resistance\u00a0<\/strong>to insulin caused\u00a0by long term\u00a0over-exposure\u00a0to sugar (ie.\u00a0a diet high in sugar). It often results from excess body weight and physical inactivity.<\/p>\n

Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be treated with diet alone however,\u00a0oral tablets (oral hypoglycaemic agents) and insulin injections may also be prescribed by a doctor.<\/p>\n

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6.\u00a0Gestational diabetes\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Affects women only and its onset is during pregnancy. According to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA),\u00a0Gestational diabetes usually develops between the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy and affects about four percent of all pregnancies. The\u00a0condition usually ends after birth; however, these women have a 50%\u00a0risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the next 10 to 20 years.<\/p>\n

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7. Type 2 diabetes is the biggest concern\u00a0<\/h3>\n

According to the WHO, type 2 diabetes\u00a0accounts for around 90% of all diabetes worldwide. Reports of type 2 diabetes in children have also\u00a0increased worldwide.<\/p>\n

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8.\u00a0Type 2 diabetes can, in fact, BE REVERSED sometimes<\/h3>\n

According to diabetes.co.uk<\/a> , with\u00a0a combination of weight\u00a0loss, healthy eating,\u00a0time and dedication, type 2 diabetes can sometimes be reversed.<\/p>\n

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9.\u00a0\u00a0Early diagnosis and intervention is KEY to living well with diabetes<\/h3>\n

Symptoms include: increased urination, extreme thirst, hunger, unexplained weight loss, blurred vision, numbness in your fingers and toes, re-occurant infections<\/p>\n

If you experience any of the above symptoms please visit your nearest doctor or call the Dubai Diabetes Centre<\/a><\/p>\n

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10.\u00a0Type 2 diabetes can be prevented<\/h3>\n

According to WHO<\/a> 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical exercise alongside a healthy diet can drastically reduce\u00a0the risk of diabetes.<\/p>\n

So, what are you waiting for? Ditch the hoverboards and go cycling or skating instead. Keep it fun!<\/p>\n

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All the above information and statistics have been taken from trustworthy information sites including the Dubai Health Authority website<\/a>, the WHO website<\/a> and\u00a0http:\/\/www.diabetes.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Now read:8 ‘healthy’ foods you shouldn\u2019t eat too much of<\/a><\/p>\n

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