World Diabetes Day on November 14th highlights diabetes prevention and management for 830 million people globally, with 77% experiencing anxiety or depression related to their condition, making therapeutic support essential for comprehensive diabetes care.
Living with diabetes affects more than blood sugar - it impacts your emotional well-being too. World Diabetes Day reminds us that 77% of people with diabetes experience anxiety or depression, but understanding this mind-body connection opens doors to comprehensive healing and support.
Understanding World Diabetes Day
World Diabetes Day is celebrated on November 14 each year. This day highlights the global impact of diabetes and raises awareness about improving its diagnosis, management, and prevention. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the theme for 2024 to 2026 is well-being for a better diabetes life, with 2024’s theme being “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps.”
World Diabetes Day was established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization to raise awareness of the global threat of this condition. In 2006, the UN adopted the event in response to “the urgent need to pursue multilateral efforts to promote and improve human health and provide access to treatment and healthcare education.”
The scope of diabetes worldwide
Diabetes has significant global impacts. Below, explore some statistics highlighting this importance and prevalence:
- Diabetes prevalence is increasing around the world. The number of people living with diabetes in 2022 was 830 million, up significantly from 200 million in 1990.
- In 2022, more than half of people with diabetes did not take medication for their condition.
- In 2021, diabetes and diabetes-related illnesses caused more than two million deaths.
- It is estimated that 240 million individuals worldwide do not know that they have diabetes.
- The global economic impact of diabetes is predicted to reach $2.1 trillion by 2030. By 2045, diabetes-related health expenditures in the United States alone are expected to be $392,537.4 million.
Understanding diabetes: Types and mechanisms
There are multiple types of diabetes, and many differences between them. However, insulin and blood sugar levels are involved in every kind of diabetes. Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas that controls the amount of glucose or sugar in the blood. Glucose is brought into the body through food.
When glucose enters the bloodstream, it signals the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin acts as a key, helping glucose enter the cells to be used as energy. When the glucose enters the cells, blood sugar levels drop, and the pancreas stops producing insulin. Depending on the type of diabetes someone lives with, the process of insulin and glucose interactions can be interrupted.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that attacks specific cells in the pancreas, preventing them from making insulin. When the body does not produce insulin, glucose builds up in the blood and cannot be used for energy. This process can lead to serious health complications and even death. People with type 1 diabetes need to inject synthetic insulin every day to stay healthy. This type of diabetes is typically present early in one’s life, but some people may not notice symptoms until they’re adults.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type. In this condition, the pancreas produces insulin, but it either doesn’t produce enough or the body doesn’t use it effectively. Not enough glucose reaches the cells, and blood sugar rises. Anyone can develop type 2 diabetes, but some people may be more genetically predisposed to the condition. Pre-diabetes can also occur, which is when blood sugar levels start rising but aren’t high enough yet to qualify as type 2 diabetes. Treating pre-diabetes may prevent one’s risk of developing diabetes.
Other forms of diabetes
Other types of diabetes include the following:
- Gestational diabetes: This type of diabetes can occur in people who are pregnant but usually resolves after the pregnancy.
- Type 3c diabetes: Type 3c occurs when the pancreas is damaged from infection, cancer, or any other mechanism other than autoimmune.
- Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY): This type of diabetes occurs due to a genetic mutation that affects how the body makes and uses insulin. MODY accounts for about 5% of diabetes cases.
Health complications associated with diabetes
Diabetes can lead to multiple health challenges and life-long complications, including the following:
- Vision problems as a result of damage to the blood vessels in the eyes
- Diabetic foot problems due to reduced blood flow and damage to the nerves in the feet; in the U.S., about 160,000 people have a lower limb amputation due to complications from diabetes every year
- High blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease as a result of the damage to the blood vessels
- Kidney disease or kidney failure due to blood vessel damage in the kidneys
- Skin infections due to reduced circulation
- Death due to complications of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia
Diabetes prevention strategies
The most common type of diabetes, type 2, is preventable. Consider the following tips to prevent diabetes.
Weight management
Obesity is one of the major risk factors for diabetes. While reaching a “normal” body weight may seem overwhelming, even losing five to ten percent of your body weight may lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, talk to your doctor, as not every person with a higher body weight is at risk of health complications, and many larger people are healthy.
Regular physical activity
Start small with exercise by breaking your routine up into three ten-minute daily walks and building up to your goal. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week. Even a walk down the street is a form of aerobic exercise. You can also try more fun forms of exercise like dancing, yoga, stretching, swimming, hiking, climbing, or playing with your pets or kids.
Nutritious eating patterns
Talk to your doctor about the best foods for your unique body and mind. What’s nourishing for one person may not be healthy for another, so work with a nutritionist and learn about your body’s unique reactions to certain foods. Many people find vegetables and fruits healthy, but ensure you also get some source of protein and fiber in your healthy diet.
The mental health dimension of diabetes
Diabetes can also affect one’s mental health. One global survey conducted by the International Diabetes Federation found that 77% of people with diabetes have experienced anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition as a result of their condition. Some of the concerns leading to these mental health challenges include fear of complications, daily management, and the stigma surrounding the disease.
If you are experiencing mental health challenges as a result of living with diabetes, consider talking to a mental health professional. Untreated mental health issues can make diabetes worse, but according to the Centers for Disease Control, if one gets better, the other tends to as well.