Overview of Diabetes

Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood glucose (sugar level) in the blood. When a person has diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use its own insulin effectively. Glucose builds up in the blood and cause a condition that, if not controlled, can lead to serious health complications and even death. The risk of death for a person with diabetes is as twice the risk of a person of similar age who does not have diabetes. Diabetes presents with symptoms such as frequent urination, extreme thirst and hunger, weight loss, numbness of hands and feet, sore that is unable to heal, just to mention but few. Diabetes can also lead to other complications such as vision loss, kidney failure, and amputation of leg or feet. Effective glucose control and blood pressure control can prevent or delay these complications. Average medical expenses are more than twice as high for a person with diabetes as they are for a person without diabetes. In 2007, the estimated cost of diabetes in the United States was $174 billion. That amount included $116 billion in direct medical care cost and $58 billion in indirect costs (from disability, productivity loss, and premature death). The most common forms of diabetes are: TYPE 1 DIABETES: Thisaccounts for about 5% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type I diabetes is usually first diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can occur at any age. To survive, people with type I diabetes use insulin injection. Risk factors for Type I diabetes include autoimmune, genetic or environmental. There is no known way to prevent diabetes type I. Type II diabetes accounts for 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Several studies have shown that healthy eating and regular physical activity, coupled with medication if prescribed, can help control health complications from Type II diabetes or can prevent or delay the onset of Type II diabetes. About 500,000 Ghanaians are currently living with diabetes, according to 2013 statistics released by Novo Nordisk, one of the health organizations campaigning against the disease. According to the Novo Nordisk report, an estimated 19.8 million adults in the West Africa sub-region have diabetes. In Nigeria 3.9 million people have diabetes, 2.6million in South Africa, 1.9 million in Ethiopia and 1.7 million in Tanzania. In a speech delivered by Dr. Paul Kwaw Ntodi, Medical Director of Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital on the day of inauguration of Diabetes support centre said a total of 554 diabetes cases were recorded in two years, with 38 having their legs amputated. He said the hospital recorded 255 of the disease with 27 amputated legs in 2012, while 299 cases with 11 amputations in 2013. He described the situation as ‘very bad’. In order to prevent Lower extremity amputation, these five areas should be given priority: Foot screening, Patient education, daily inspection, footwear selection, management of simple foot problems. It is in the light of this woeful trend of diabetes in recent times that the Friends Of Health Association (FOHA) is embarking upon campaigning against it. Measures include the involvement of Communities in diabetes prevention and control programmes, the establishment of Diabetic clubs in college and tertiary institutions, involvement of religious bodies and cooperate institutions in the fight against diabetes. More importantly, the involvement of health professional in the campaign and screening of at-risk groups to know their status.