Thank you Insulin !

Every year November 14th is celebrated as the World Diabetes Day as it marks the birthday of Frederick Banting, the man who along with Doctors Charles Best, John MacLeod and James Bertram Collip co-discovered Insulin in 1922,

In the logo, the ring indicates life and health. The blue color symbolizes the color of the sky and also the UN flag color.

The theme for World Diabetes Day from 2009 until and including 2013 is Diabetes Education and Prevention.

World Diabetes Day unites the global diabetes community to produce a powerful voice for diabetes awareness.

World Diabetes Day was introduced by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1991, in response to concern over the escalating incidence of diabetes around the world.

What is insulin?

Insulin is a hormone released by the beta-cells in the islets of Langerhans (insulin-producing tissue) of the pancreas. Insulin released travels throughout the blood stream and is responsible for the metabolism of carbohydrates (sugar and starch), fats and proteins. Insulin regulates our body cells and is important for growth.

Who is diabetic?

A diabetic is one who has a disease condition called Diabetes Mellitus or simply Diabetes, which is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin (type 1), or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced (type 2).

Risk factors for diabetes (type 2)?

Obesity: Whose weight is not in proportion to the weight (BMI >25).

Sedentary lifestyle: Who does not include regular physical activity in his/her daily routine (at least 30 minutes brisk walking for 5 days a week).

Unhealthy eating Habits: Who are generally overweight by eating too much of fat, simple carbohydrates, and less fiber.

Genetics/Family history: Who have a family history of diabetes.

Pre-diabetes: Who previously had impaired fasting glucose (100-125 mg/dL) or impaired glucose tolerance test (2-hour postprandial glucose between 140 and 200 mg/dL);

Ethnicity: Who are more susceptible to type 1 are Caucasians rather than African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans. Chinese people have a lower risk of developing type 1, as do people in South America. Asian-Indians have a higher degree of predisposition for insulin resistance.

Age: Whoever is getting old has to put up with an under-functioning or aged pancreas.

High-cholesterol: Whose triglycerides are above 130, total cholesterol is above 200, and HDL is less than 40,

High blood pressure: Who have a BP reading of greater than 140/90 mm Hg (adults);

Women with gestational diabetes: Women having elevated sugar levels during their pregnancy have a risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Their babies also pose some risk.

Steroid use and Stress: Who are on steroid drugs for some reason are at risk and stressed-out population is keeping on the rise every day.

Identifying diabetes

Identifying diabetes: It is a painful fact that there are an equal or more number of undiagnosed diabetics at different stages all over the world. There are some symptoms like fatigue, excessive thirst, excessive urination, weight loss, blurry vision, irritability, poor wound healing, and recurrent infections. But, by the time one identifies the symptoms, the disease would have even progressed towards organ damage. Hence, periodical screening is the ultimate answer. Now, even children and teenagers need screening because the diabetes incidence is more among the younger population; thanks to modern eating habits and sedentary lifestyle.

WHO diabetes statistic/advice

* 346 million people worldwide have diabetes.
* In 2004, an estimated 3.4 million people died from consequences of high blood sugar.
* More than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
* WHO projects that diabetes deaths will double between 2005 and 2030.
* Healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Maintaining Optimum Sugar Level

It is very important to first screen and check for the efficiency of the insulin in our body by doing lab tests periodically. The unlucky ones do end-up with indication of impaired functioning of insulin, which needs to be augmented. But, to make the available insulin to work maximally, we need to work hard by exercising, maintaining optimum body weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, not smoke, and eat a healthy food. By this way, one can maintain a good sugar level in the body constantly in order to prevent the existing diabetes from progressing into serious organ damage or limb amputation level. The eyes, kidneys, foot, skin, nerves, etc are the commonly affected organs. Each needs to be checked periodically.

So, we must be “thankful” to the insulin and help it in maximizing its function in every way we can.

Watch the Video: Functioning of Insulin

Returning Thanks!

No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks. - Unknown