Usama Abdul Karim
Diabetes is a long-lasting disease in which a person’s body is not capable to either produce or utilize suitable insulin. Insulin is a hormone that enables the cells of the body to utilize glucose, or sugar, from the bloodstream. This absence of insulin results in starving cells and an increased level of sugar in the blood, a condition known as Hyper-glycaemia, if this disease is not treated than it is very harmful for body system. Fortunately, proper management of Diabetes and regular check-ups can prevent many of these complications. Health problems caused by Diabetes include high blood pressure (hypertension),kidney disease, glaucoma and cataracts, skin complications, damage to nerves and blood vessels, and foot complications. Extreme Diabetes can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or the need to amputate a limb.The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) suggested that citing Diabetes as the cause of 6.7 million deaths in 2021. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Diabetes was the direct cause of 1.5 million deaths in 2019, 48% of which occurred in patients younger than 65 years of age. Diabetes is also strangelywidespread. Based on the latest data from the IDF, around 537 million individuals, roughly constituting 10% of the global population aged 20-79, were diagnosed with Diabetes in 2021. Projections suggest this figure will rise to 643 million by 2030 and further to 783 million by 2045. Additionally, an estimated 240 million people with Diabetes remain undiagnosed. The prevalence of Diabetes is particularly concerning in Pacific Island nations due to factors such as the high cost of fruits and vegetables, widespread availability of fast food, and genetic predisposition. Types of Diabetes Two main types of Diabetesoccur, known as type 1 and type 2. Both are prolonged conditions, but the dysfunction varies a little depending upon the type. Type 1 Diabetes is a condition in which pancreas is unable to produce insulin, by the way pancreas is a gland that produce insulin. By comparison, type 2 Diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas produces sufficient insulin, but the body lacks the ability to use it properly. In both types, the end result is that insulin’s role in managing glucose levels in the blood is negotiated. Type 1 Diabetes is typically found in children and makes up roughly 5% of all Diabetes cases. Its cause is unknown. Type 2 Diabetes makes up approximately 95% of Diabetes cases and is more common in adults. Overweight individuals are particularly at risk of developing type 2 Diabetes. A third form of Diabetes, known as Gestational Diabetes, can occur temporarily in pregnant females. While the symptoms of gestational Diabetes are typically mild and tend to resolve after childbirth, both the infant and mother become more prone to developing type 2 Diabetes later in life. Pre-diabetes, a condition characterized by slightly elevated blood glucose levels, is also highly prevalent. If this is left untreated, pre-diabetes often advances to full-blown type 2 Diabetes. According to the Center for Disease Control, over 30% of adults in the United States have pre-diabetes. Although reversible and preventable from progressing to Diabetes through dietary and exercise interventions, pre-diabetes remains undiagnosed in over 80% of cases.If I talk about Pakistan, Pakistan has the highest Diabetes rate at 30.8%, followed by Kuwait at 24.9%, and Nauru, New Caledonia, and the Northern Mariana Islands, all at 23.4%. On the other hand, countries with the lowest Diabetes rates include Eritrea, Somalia, all below 1%. Other countries with low Diabetes rates include Madagascar, Mozambique, and Sierra Leone, all with rates below 2%.The top 10 countries with the highest Diabetes rates in the world are: 1. Pakistan – 30.80% 2. Kuwait – 24.90% 3. Nauru – 23.40% 4. New Caledonia – 23.40% 5. Northern Mariana Islands – 23.40% 6. Marshall Islands – 23.00% 7. Mauritius – 22.60% 8. Egypt – 20.90% 9. Solomon Islands – 19.80% 10. Qatar – 19.50% Why Pakistan is on top? Pakistan has the highest Diabetes rate in the world, with a shocking rate of 30.8%. This can be credited to several factors, including a lack of awareness and education about Diabetes,Non-Diagnosis and Lack of Treatment Options, a high prevalence of obesity, and poor access to healthcare facilities. The country’s rapid urbanization and lifestyle changes have also played a role in the rising Diabetes rates. A diet high in carbohydrates and sugar, along with a sedentary lifestyle, are common among the population, leading to an increase in insulin resistance and Diabetes. Additionally, genetics and family history also play a role in the prevalence of Diabetes in the population. National Action Plan In 2023,to prevent Diabetes and other non-communicable diseases, a National Action Plan was created in Pakistan.Experts warned about the growing cases of Diabetes. An urge was made to create a new action plan to address the issue. They also highlighted how young people from the age group 25-30 are becoming Diabetic. Need to take action But this action plan was failed and the results are shows in front of you that Pakistan is appear on the top of world ranking in Diabetes mellitus. My request is to government of Pakistan and the Organizations who work on the awareness and control of Diabetes, kindly take action on this problem to control this disease by organizing awareness sessions and free camps for testing this disease for young and old ones, because if we detect this disease in early stage, it’s very easy to control this disease by improving our life style. It includes doing daily workouts and avoids eating too much fast food, oily things; eat good & healthy food and proper checking after one month.
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