WORLD DIABETES DAY BY HARMONY DIABETES FOUNDATION(PICTURE)
World Diabetes Day (WDD) was created in 1991 by IDF and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2006 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225. It is marked every year on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.
WDD is the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign reaching a global audience of over 1 billion people in more than 160 countries. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public and political spotlight.
The World Diabetes Day campaign aims to be the:
• Platform to promote IDF advocacy efforts throughout the year.
• Global driver to promote the importance of taking coordinated and concerted actions to confront diabetes as a critical global health issue.
What Is Diabetes Mellitus?
Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. Persons with diabetes have too much sugar in their blood. There is no cure for diabetes. People with diabetes need to manage their disease to stay healthy.
It is a metabolic disease in which the body’s inability to produce any or enough insulin causes elevated levels of glucose in the blood.
Persons with diabetes have too much sugar in their blood. This problem can start when a person is young (Type 1 diabetes) or older (Type 2 diabetes). Type 1 diabetes is usually more serious, this can only be controlled by insulin (drug/Injection).
Diabetes is a serious complex condition which can affect the entire body. Diabetes requires daily self-care and if complications develop, diabetes can have a significant impact on the quality of life and can reduce life expectancy. While there is currently no cure for diabetes, you can live an enjoyable life by learning about the condition and effectively managing it. It often referred to by doctors as diabetes mellitus.
Types of Diabetes Mellitus
There are three major types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes
The body does not produce insulin. Some people may refer to this type as insulin-dependent diabetes, juvenile diabetes, or early-onset diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is usually more serious and young people need medicine called insulin to control it. This problem can start when a person is young or older
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune condition in which the immune system is activated to destroy the cells in the pancreas which produce insulin. We do not know what causes this auto-immune reaction. Type 1 diabetes is not linked to modifiable lifestyle factors. There is no cure and it cannot be prevented.
• Occurs when the pancreas does not produce insulin
• Represents around 10% of all cases of diabetes and is one of the most common chronic childhood conditions
• Onset is usually abrupt and the symptoms obvious
• Symptoms can include excessive thirst and urination, unexplained weight loss, weakness and fatigue and blurred vision
• Is managed with insulin injections several times a day or the use of an insulin pump.
Type 2 diabetes
The body does not produce enough insulin for proper function, or the cells in the body do not react to insulin (insulin resistance). Most people with diabetes have Type 2, starting after age 40.
The most common form of diabetes is called type 2, or non-insulin dependent diabetes.
This is also called “adult-onset” diabetes since it typically develops after age 35. However, a growing number of younger people are now developing type 2 diabetes.
People with type 2 are able to produce some of their own insulin. Often, it’s not enough. And sometimes, the insulin will try to serve as the “key” to open the body’s cells, to allow the glucose to enter. But the key won’t work. The cells won’t open. This is called insulin resistance.
Often, type 2 is tied to people who are overweight, with a sedentary lifestyle.
Treatment focuses on diet and exercise. If blood sugar levels are still high, oral medications are used to help the body use its own insulin more efficiently. In some cases, insulin injections are necessary.
Gestational diabetes/Pregnant Diabetes
This type affects females during pregnancy. Some women have very high levels of glucose in their blood, and their bodies are unable to produce enough insulin to transport all of the glucose into their cells, resulting in progressively rising levels of glucose.
High blood glucose is caused because the mother can’t produce enough insulin (a pregnant woman’s insulin needs are two to three times that of normal).
There are two reasons why the mother needs more insulin:
Because pregnancy causes certain types of hormones (that are made by the placenta) to be released., These hormones make it harder for insulin to do its job because the growth demands of the foetus (developing baby) increase the mother's need for insulin
Unlike type 1 and type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes is only temporary and usually disappears after pregnancy. However, a woman who has had gestational diabetes has an increased risk (50-60%) of developing type 2 diabetes in the future; therefore they should be tested for type 2 diabetes each year.
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Diabetes Prevention and Management
1. Cut Sugar and Refined Carbs from Your Diet
Eating foods high in refined carbs and sugar increases blood sugar and insulin levels, this may lead to diabetes over time. Avoiding these foods may help reduce your risk.
2. Work Out Regularly
Performing physical activity on a regular basis can increase insulin secretion and sensitivity, which may help prevent the progression from prediabetes to diabetes.
3. Drink Water as Your Primary Beverage
Drinking water instead of other beverages may help control blood sugar and insulin levels, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes.
4. Lose Weight If You're Overweight or Obese
Carrying excess weight, particularly in the abdominal area, increases the likelihood of developing diabetes. Losing weight may significantly reduce the risk of diabetes.
5. Quit Smoking
Smoking is strongly linked to the risk of diabetes, especially in heavy smokers. Quitting has been shown to reduce this risk over time.
6. Follow a Very-Low-Carb Diet
.Following a ketogenic or very-low-carb diet can help keep blood sugar and insulin levels under control, which may protect against diabetes.
7. Watch Portion Sizes
Avoiding large portion sizes can help reduce insulin and blood sugar levels and decrease the risk of diabetes.
8. Avoid Sedentary Behaviors
Avoiding sedentary behaviours like excessive sitting has been shown to reduce your risk of getting diabetes.
9. Eat a High-Fiber Diet
Consuming a good fiber source at each meal can help prevent spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels, which may help reduce your risk of developing diabetes.
10. Optimize Vitamin D Levels
Consuming foods high in vitamin D or taking supplements can help optimize vitamin D blood levels, which can reduce your risk of diabetes.
11. Minimize Your Intake of Processed Foods
Minimizing processed foods and focusing on whole foods with protective effects on health may help decrease the risk of diabetes.
12. Drink Coffee or Tea
Drinking coffee or tea may help reduce blood sugar levels, increase insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of diabetes.
13. Consider Taking These Natural Herbs
The herbs Moringa leaves: and basil increase insulin sensitivity, reduce blood sugar levels and may help prevent diabetes.

Harmony Diabetes foundation is a nonprofit initiative of harmony committed to preventing and alleviating human suffering related to diabetes. We are driven by a passion to end the suffering that people go through as a result of diabetes. Our mandate is to bring succour to people suffering from diabetes and all its associated illnesses.
Harmony Diabetes Foundation thrives to provide those impacted by diabetes with access to medication and supplies, one-on-one support and tips and resources to help ensure they can maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid complications that arise if left untreated.

We commemorated this year world diabetes day in Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna with free screening, lecture, exercise and 2km walk as shown below.

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Pls join us for awareness creation