| Under the theme ‘Education and Prevention’ World Diabetes Day was observed yesterday by the West Demerara Regional Hospital with a mini health fair at the Leonora Market. The activity was orchestrated by the first ever Region Three Diabetic Management Committee within the Region.According to Chairperson Nurse Jean Bhagmania, the Committee came into being on October 1 last,Cheap NBA Gear, but was officially launched yesterday as part of the observance.Members of the Region Three Diabetic Management Committee.Comprising 14 individuals, several of whom were on hand yesterday to tend to persons visiting the fair, the committee is poised to ensure that the incidence of diabetes is adequately addressed in the Region.According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) World Diabetes Day raises global awareness of diabetes, its escalating rates around the world and how to prevent the illness in most cases. Started by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and WHO, the Day is celebrated on November 14 annually to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, was instrumental in the discovery of insulin in 1922, a life-saving treatment for diabetic patients.WHO estimates that more than 220 million people worldwide have diabetes. This number is likely to more than double by 2030 without intervention. It has also been deduced that almost 80 percent of diabetes deaths occur in low and middle-income countries.More than 100 persons were able to benefit from a wealth of diabetes information even as they were afforded blood pressure testing, blood glucose testing, Body Mass Index tests among other services offered at the fair. Those who were found to have a high blood glucose level were referred to the Leonora Diagnostic Centre for further observation.Dietary advice and the importance of taking one’s diabetes medication was also emphasised by the members of the Committee yesterday. And there are varying types of diabetes according to Nurse Bhagmania. For this reason she said that a variety of handouts were made available to those visiting the health fair. The three major types of diabetes are: Type One, previously known as insulin-dependent, Type Two previously known as non-insulin dependent and Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).The Type One diabetes is an auto-immune disease where the body’s immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This type of diabetes, also known as juvenile-onset diabetes, accounts for 10-15 percent of all people with the disease.It can appear at any age,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, although commonly under 40, and is triggered by environmental factors such as viruses, diet or chemicals in people genetically predisposed. People with type One diabetes must inject themselves with insulin several times a day and follow a careful diet and exercise plan.Type Two diabetes, on the other hand, is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 85 to 90 percent of all people with the disease. This type of diabetes, also known as late-onset diabetes, is characterised by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency.The disease is strongly genetic in origin but lifestyle factors such as excess weight,Cheap Air Max 270 Mens, inactivity, high blood pressure and poor diet are major risk factors for its development. Symptoms may not show for many years and,NFL Jerseys Outlet, by the time they appear, significant problems may have developed. People with Type Two diabetes are twice as likely to suffer cardiovascular disease.Persons with this type of diabetes may be treated by dietary changes, exercise and/or tablets while insulin injections may later be required.GDM, or carbohydrate intolerance,NFL Jerseys Cheap, is first diagnosed during pregnancy through an oral glucose tolerance test. Between 5.5 and 8.8 percent of pregnant women develop GDM in some countries. Risk factors for GDM include a family history of diabetes,Wholesale Jerseys 2020, increasing maternal age, obesity and being a member of a community or ethnic group with a high risk of developing Type Two diabetes.While the carbohydrate intolerance usually returns to normal after the birth, the mother has a significant risk of developing permanent diabetes while the baby is more likely to develop obesity and impaired glucose tolerance and/or diabetes later in life. Self-care and dietary changes are essential in treatment.In the past, the West Demerara Hospital observance of World Diabetes Day was characteristic of small exhibitions at the hospital which merely highlighted what is offered to diabetics. However, with the introduction of the Committee, Nurse Bhagmania noted that the activities have expanded.As a prelude to yesterday’s observance, the Committee members had held similar health fairs in Wakenaam and Leguan islands in the Essequibo River.The Committee which includes persons drawn from the hospital’s pharmacy, the Dietary Department and Laboratory is co-ordinated by Nurse Joan Barry. |
