In a world of increasing diabetes prevalence, specialists are calling for enhanced global efforts to combat this epidemic. Diabetes, which causes elevated blood sugar levels, can adversely affect vital organs such as the heart, blood vessels, and nerves, leading to life-threatening complications. According to research, global diabetes prevalence has increased, now affecting 14% of the adult population of the planet, compared to 7% in 1990.
A study conducted by the WHO on the risk factors for chronic diseases found a significant treatment gap: more than half of individuals over 30 with diabetes do not receive the necessary care. Data from this study indicates that in 2022, approximately 828 million adults suffered from either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The research could not differentiate between diabetes 1 and diabetes 2, but it is believed that type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity and unhealthy eating habits, representing the majority of cases in adults.
Effective diabetes treatment is a key criterion for preventing serious health complications. Lack of access to insulin and other essential medications, often exacerbated by high costs, puts millions of lives at risk, stated Professor Jan Claude Mbanya from the University of Yaoundé I in Cameroon.
For an accurate diabetes diagnosis, glucose levels in the bloodstream are measured, and if its levels exceed 126 mg/dl, diabetes is diagnosed. It is also important to consider risk factors, including family history of diabetes, maternal obesity during pregnancy, excess weight, insufficient physical activity, smoking, cardiovascular diseases, and others.
Diabetes symptoms can vary depending on the type of the disease. Type 1 diabetes often manifests acutely and visibly due to insufficient insulin production, while type 2 diabetes develops more gradually and may remain unnoticed for many years. To prevent complications and maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is important to control glucose levels and other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
