In 1922, hospitals were crowded with emaciated patients, adults and children alike, all of whom had the same diagnosis: diabetes. Surprisingly, emaciation wasn’t the direct result of this disease, but rather the result of the only treatment available then. During the same year, a fourteen-year-old boy was the first child to ever be given an insulin shot, and the first person to be saved from near-death due to emaciation caused by primitive treatment.
This shot was given by a Canadian surgeon named Frederick Banting, along with the help of Charles Best; however, the contributions of John Macleod and James Collip played an important role as well.
Diabetes is a chronic illness that occurs either when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. The three main types commonly seen are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes, which was once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is more commonly seen in children, adolescents, and young adults. It is an autoimmune condition whose cause is still unknown. It occurs when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin. This causes damage to the pancreas.
Type 2 diabetes was once known as adult-onset diabetes. This type of diabetes causes insulin resistance, which prevents the body from using the insulin it produces. It has various causal factors, including excess weight, lack of exercise, diet, and genetic factors. Unlike type 1 diabetes, this condition is preventable. Among the people diagnosed with diabetes globally, about 90-95% are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
The third type is gestational diabetes. This occurs in some women during pregnancy when their bodies are not able to produce enough insulin, which once again leads to their bodies becoming insulin-resistant. This may lead to complications during delivery and an increased risk of having type 2 diabetes in the future.
Yet, we have noticed throughout history that diabetes is one of those diseases whose symptoms are ignored by people and brushed off as something “temporary”. If left untreated, it can cause severe damage to the body, especially to vital organs like the kidneys, eyes, and liver.
Dr. Elliott Joslin once said, “Education is not a part of the treatment of diabetes, it is the treatment.” This year’s theme for World Diabetes Day is “Early Action on Diabetes”, which also promotes this education and treatment.
Globally, India ranks high, being the second-highest country with a diabetic population. Type 2 diabetes, which is caused by external factors, is more commonly found in India. About 830 million people have diabetes around the world, out of whom around 100 million are from India.
Many Indians have a predisposition to type 2 diabetes for multiple reasons; according to research, some Indians have thin-fat bodies, or they have visceral fat surrounding the organs despite having a thin body or low weight, which triggers insulin resistance. Another important factor is diet. A balanced diet should comprise a healthy amount of all nutrients and vitamins, yet an average Indian consumes a carbohydrate-heavy diet that lacks protein and fibre; this too results in sudden insulin spikes. A fat-heavy diet also contributes to insulin resistance.
An estimated 43% of adults living with diabetes (252 million people) are left undiagnosed.
Early action is a co-responsibility of every individual and the government, especially when a disease affects such a huge proportion of the population. Many global policies ensure this takes place. WHO collaborates with countries and partners to enhance access to diabetes medicines and technologies for people living with the disease and to promote health literacy, and innovations. The Government of India has developed a comprehensive and uniform national framework for screening, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of childhood diabetes, including free-of-cost care. Despite this, a gap in healthcare accessibility still exists between urban and rural areas.
Early action is not so much important as critical. Knowing the symptoms, the consequences, and preventive measures is important for living with a disease like diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by maintaining a normal body weight, exercising every day, eating a healthy, nutritious diet, and avoiding tobacco. One should also get tested annually. Contrary to popular misconceptions, diabetes is not caused by eating one too many sweets but by the combination of all these factors.
Unlike before 1922, children with diabetes are now given well-planned treatments such as insulin therapy, blood sugar monitoring, and lifestyle changes.
So, on this World Diabetes Day, celebrated on 14th November, let us spread the word that diabetes is not a disease that goes away if its symptoms are ignored; early action keeps your health on track.
-Isha Barve
