November 14 — World Diabetes Day
According to the State Institution "Beshankovichsky Regional Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology", as of the beginning of the current year, 379,510 patients with diabetes mellitus were under medical supervision in the Republic of Belarus, of which 19,252 had type 1 diabetes mellitus and 356,396 had type 2 diabetes. The annual increase in the number of patients with this diagnosis is 5-8%. Over the past 20 years, the number of patients has tripled. It is assumed that every second patient remains undiagnosed.
In the Vitebsk region, as of January 1, 2024, 50,932 such patients were under medical supervision. Last year, the disease was diagnosed for the first time in 4,696 people, and unfortunately, there are children among them.
Currently, diabetes mellitus is among the top three diseases that most frequently lead to death. Previously, there was no treatment for this diagnosis. To prolong life, patients starved themselves, but they could not count on a long and normal life. The discovery that gave hope to millions of people occurred in 1922, when Canadian scientist Frederick Banting saved a 14-year-old teenager suffering from a severe form of the disease by administering a course of insulin injections.
This discovery led to the creation of a new medicinal drug that saved many lives in the future. And in 1979, scientists were able to synthesize human insulin using genetic engineering.
World Diabetes Day was proclaimed on November 14, 1991, to commemorate the fundamental work done to bridge the gaps in public understanding of this disease. The date was chosen in honor and memory of the great scientist Frederick Banting, who was born on this day in 1891.
World Diabetes Day is currently observed in 160 countries worldwide. In 2024, its theme is "Diabetes and Well-being," with the slogan: "By uniting our efforts and capabilities, we can create a world where the quality of life is not dictated by diabetes." Public perception of diabetes care often narrows down to just blood glucose monitoring and correction, while millions of people with diabetes face the daily challenge of managing their condition at home, at work, and at school, which requires significant physical, mental, and emotional effort. These challenges remain outside the scope of disease treatment, yet they are a crucial component of their well-being.
It is important to know that the hormone insulin is responsible for maintaining normal blood glucose levels and providing cells with energy, ensuring the stable functioning of the entire body. If there is insufficient insulin production, blood glucose levels rise sharply, the process of carbohydrate breakdown and their conversion into energy is disrupted, leading to the development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (Type 1). When cells begin to lack "food," they try to obtain it from healthy organs, causing irreparable damage to human health.
Without treatment or with inadequate disease management, serious complications can subsequently develop: kidney dysfunction, gangrene, retinal damage, and cardiovascular system disorders. Gradually, the body simply deteriorates. However, in the modern world, this diagnosis is not a death sentence. For the treatment of the disease, insulin produced through genetic engineering or insulin analogs, which closely mimic the action of the body's own insulin, are used.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (non-insulin-dependent) accounts for over 95% of all diabetes cases. It most often develops in individuals over 40 years of age who are overweight and lead sedentary lifestyles. Its treatment requires adopting a healthy lifestyle, physical activity, adhering to a specific diet, and glucose-lowering therapy.
Experts are sounding the alarm: diabetes is on the rise and rapidly affecting younger people. However, due to the specific nature of this pathology, some individuals may not even be aware of their condition, fail to undergo timely examinations, and miss the opportunity to detect the disease at an early stage and prevent its complications.
To keep the disease under control and live a full life, the Beshenkovichi District Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology reminds us of the following necessary measures:
— Avoid excess weight and engage in physical activity;
— Give up smoking and excessive alcohol consumption;
— Regularly monitor blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol; undergo medical examinations at the local polyclinic; and avoid stressful situations;
— Take medications strictly as prescribed by a doctor and adhere to a therapeutic diet.
Health is the greatest value in life. It cannot be bought with any amount of money; it must be preserved, protected, and improved from a young age, from the very first days of a person's life.