World Diabetes Day

Today is World Diabetes Day, a day that has become special to me because I am a Type I diabetic.  I begin the celebration by being a good environmentalist and recycling the day's description from National Day Calendar.

Around the globe on November 14, World Diabetes Day raises awareness and provides education concerning a disease that affects over 400 million adults internationally.

According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), by 2040 approximately 642 million adults will have diabetes. With diabetes causing 5 million deaths in 2015, this projection is a source of concern. Awareness, education, action and research all can make a difference.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Visit www.worlddiabetes.org to learn more about both type 1 & 2 diabetes.  Find out how to get screened, to prevent type 2 diabetes and more about treatment.  Use #WorldDiabetesDay to share on social media.

HISTORY

The International Diabetes Federation & the World Health Organization created World Diabetes Day in 1991 to raise awareness of the rising threat of diabetes around the world. In 2006, the day became one of the official United Nations Days.

Continuing on, I'm sharing three videos from World Diabetes Day on YouTube.  First, What is diabetes?

415 million people worldwide, or 9% of adults aged 20-79, are estimated to have diabetes. If these trends continue, by 2040 some 642 million people will have diabetes.

Next, Do you know the symptoms of diabetes?

The development of type 1 diabetes is usually sudden while the symptoms can often be mild in people with type 2 diabetes, making type 2 of diabetes hard to detect. If you show these signs and symptoms, consult a health professional.

I had sudden onset of all these symptoms except the lack of energy on August 21, 2017, the day of the Great American Eclipse.  That certainly made the day even more memorable, although not in a good way.

I conclude with a video about the 2016 World Diabetes Day theme, eyes on diabetes, What is diabetic retinopathy?

The increased prevalence of diabetes means that more and more people are developing diabetes complications, such as diabetic retinopathy.

Ugh, another reason to keep my blood sugar controlled, although I worry more about my feet.

Tomorrow is another national day, America Recycles Day.  Stay tuned.