Diabetes is a condition that is associated with unhealthy lifestyles and a predisposition for genetic factors. According to data from the Quarterly Hospital Epidemiological Surveillance Report, about 15 thousand 593 cases of type 2 diabetes were registered in Mexico in the third quarter of 2021. To commemorate World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2021, the Organization of the The United Nations (UN) invites you to adopt a profitable diet and adopt healthy habits.
The Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) explains that before the manifestation of diabetes there is a medical condition called prediabetes. In it, the levels of glucose in the blood are higher than normal, but not high enough to diagnose diabetes. One of the main triggers of this disease is the regular and excessive consumption of refined sugar added to food and drinks. This represents a health risk due to the effort of the pancreas to release insulin, as it helps glucose to be used as a source of energy. In the long term, there is a depletion of pancreatic cells resulting in a decrease in insulin, leading to the appearance of diabetes mellitus.
According to a statement from the healthtech Prixz consulted by NotiPress, it is essential to maintain control of glucose levels. Well, about 30% of people with diabetes, regardless of age or gender, tend to develop chronic kidney disease. “These types of diseases are multifactorial, they could be genetic or they can develop due to our lifestyle. Among the main causes is a sedentary lifestyle and a poor diet, as they often lead to diabetes’s main ally: hypertension,” he explains Dr. Stefanía Medel, Prixz specialist.
For the World Health Organization (WHO), the health repercussions range from damage to the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes and nerves. Adults with diabetes have a two to three times higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke. There is also a risk of diabetic retinopathy, caused by the accumulation of lesions in the capillaries of the retina, which causes 2.6% of cases of blindness in the world. In this sense, the UN points out that the theme of World Diabetes Day 2021 is access to care for this disease, emphasizing prevention measures. Both the WHO and Prixz share some recommendations to reduce the chances of suffering from diabetes, since healthy habits prevent or delay its onset:
- Perform at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity daily.
- Do not use tobacco, since it increases the risk of suffering from diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
- Eliminate or reduce the consumption of sugars and refined carbohydrates.
- Drink enough water and reduce the consumption of high-sugar soft drinks.
- Undergo blood tests, if you have a family history of diabetes.
- Go frequently to a doctor to monitor health status.
So far there is no cure for diabetes, but it can be successfully controlled by having a good quality of life and following the treatment indicated by a specialist. Diet and habits are the most important points of prevention and should be aimed at maintaining an adequate level of sugar. The commemoration of World Diabetes Day represents the largest awareness campaign on this disease and organizations around the world hope to promote healthy lives for all.
