As the world diabetes day draws close on the 14 November what will it mean to you?  If you haven’t got diabetes it will be just another work day but for others that have the dreaded disease it is time to be in the limelight and showcase how diabetes has changed your life.  From the day that you learnt you have the disease.

I can guarantee by this time next year and if you haven’t got the disease you will know someone that either has type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

“The numbers are already alarming with 2.9 million people across the country diagnosed with the condition and an estimated 850,000 who have Type 2 diabetes but don’t know. And the current crisis is only worsening. If the country’s unhealthy lifestyle continues, the diabetes population, the vast majority of whom have Type 2 diabetes – the form of the condition primarily linked to lifestyle – will reach a staggering five million by 2025.”

The disease shows no favoritism between rich or poor neither favoring any country in particular as this disease is now worldwide.  Currently Australians statistics is 1 in 4 either have this disease or are in risk of the disease, and this thanks to largely to the increased risk in obesity linked type 2 diabetes.

“There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes develops when insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed. This type of diabetes usually appears before the age of 40 and accounts for around 10 per cent of all people with diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, it is not known why it develops and it is not connected with being overweight. People with Type 1 diabetes have to take insulin either via a pump or by injections several times a day to stay alive.”

“Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly. Type 2 diabetes usually affects people over 40 (over 25 in people from South Asian and Black backgrounds).

It can be treated with a healthy diet and physical activity but Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition and people often go on to take medication and insulin injections. In around 80 per cent of cases the condition is linked with being overweight and can go undetected for up to ten years.” Article source: Barbara Young

World Diabetes Day is something that is high lighted around the world.  With main buildings around the world turning the lights on landmarks and turning them blue!  This years focus is on educating people and encouraging measures to detect early detection of type 2.  This type of awareness diabetes awareness will be right in your face and hopefully enough to encourage simple lifestyle changes to help you avoid this insideous disease. World Diabetes Day I wish you every success!