Weekly Elixir – Rotary Club of Anguilla
…for the week of July 13, 2009
Onwards and upwards! Fundraising for a good cause!
Just as many participate in a Relay for Life (for cancer), Anguilla – and even all of the Caribbean – could begin a Relay for Diabetes Awareness – organizing a similar type of event.
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Relay For Life (often shortened to Relay) is a fundraising event of the American Cancer Society, and is now held in many other countries. It is an overnight event designed to spread awareness of cancer prevention, treatments and cures, celebrate survivorship and raise money for research to find more cures for cancer. In 2007, Relay For Life raised over $405 million. The largest per capita fundraiser for a college or university is Loyola College in Maryland.
The Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life is more than just a fundraiser. It is an opportunity to get together with family and friends and celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and fight back in the hope of finding a cure for this terrible disease.
Relay is fun, fulfilling, and your participation gives strength to our mission to eradicate cancer. The walk is an inspirational 12-hour overnight event as we come together and fight to make cancer history.
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…from www.diabetesvoice.org...
The people of the Caribbean region are facing a serious threat to health which will potentially overwhelm healthcare systems in the small and relatively poor countries of the region.
It is estimated that by the year 2010, the number of people with diabetes in the Caribbean will reach 20 million. Diabetes prevalence in the area is projected to increase to approximately 25% of the adult population.
Debbie Jones (Coordinator of the Diabetes Centre and Coordinator of clinical trials at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, Hamilton, Bermuda. She is a Vice-President of the International Diabetes Federation) reports on a training initiative which is aimed at reducing this health burden through the development and promotion of diabetes education programmes in the Caribbean region.
The Declaration of the Americas on Diabetes (DOTA), a coalition of diabetes-related organizations which was founded in 1996 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), advocates the promotion of diabetes education for people with the condition.
DOTA recognizes that diabetes education is an indispensable aspect of treatment in order to ensure the active participation of people with diabetes in the control and effective treatment of their condition. In many countries in the Regions of South and Central America and North America, diabetes education programmes are nonexistent.
From http://www.paho.org...
The prevalence of diabetes is increasing globally. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the forecast from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that the prevalence of diabetes will increase from 34 million in 2000 to 64 million in 2025.
Diabetes is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among the elderly and it is known to increase disability and premature mortality. Given the ageing process taking place in most developing countries, diabetes will soon become a demand health problem.
The cost of diabetes in Latin America and the Caribbean was estimated at $65 billion in 2002.
World Diabetes Day, November 14th, is the primary global awareness campaign for those involved in diabetes. The number of individuals with diabetes mellitus in Anguilla is escalating and the entire population must be made aware of this, as well as the consequences of this on the entire population. The theme of World Diabetes Day for 2008 is “Diabetes in young and Adolescents.”
From http://www.festival.ai...
Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood, and type 2 diabetes in children is becoming a global public health issue with potential serious outcomes. The number of children and adolescents in Anguilla with diabetes is increasing rapidly, and it is hoped that focus on diabetes will raise awareness of the disease as well as help individuals to recognize the signs in children and how to prevent complications. It is hoped that individuals will be encouraged to live healthy lifestyles to help prevent type 2 diabetes in children and adults as well.
Diabetes can strike children of any age, even toddlers and babies. If not detected early enough in a child, the disease can be fatal or result in serious brain damage. Yet diabetes in a child is often completely overlooked: it is often misdiagnosed as the flu or it is not diagnosed at all. Children and adolescents with a strong family history of diabetes should be screened for diabetes.
Types of Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes Mellitus occurs as a result of problems with the production and supply of the hormone insulin in the body. The body needs insulin to use the energy stored in food. When someone has diabetes they produce no or insufficient insulin (type 1 diabetes), or their body cannot use effectively the insulin they produce (type 2 diabetes).
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that cannot be prevented. Globally it is the most common form of diabetes in children, affecting around 500,000 of them under 15. However, as a result of increasing childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles, type 2 diabetes is also increasing fast in children and adolescents. Type 2 diabetes has been reported in children as young as eight and reports reveal that it now exists in children thought previously not to be at risk.
Signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents
Children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes might have few or no symptoms of diabetes. The following symptoms and signs might be present:
• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Increased hunger
• Weight loss
• Tiredness
• Lack of interest and concentration
• Blurred vision
• Vomiting and stomach pain (often mistaken as the flu)
Prevention and management
We are not show what are the main causes for the increasing number of children and adolescents who develop diabetes in Anguilla, but the fact that more children and adolescents are overweight and obese might be a leading factor. Much more must be done as a community to address the growing problem of overweight and obesity in our young children and adolescents. Parental involvement is crucial if our children and adolescents are to develop healthy lifestyles.
Once children and adolescents are diagnosed with diabetes, they should monitor their blood sugar regularly to help control their diabetes. Prevention of complications of poor glucose control is very important. Proper diet, regular exercise and adherence to medications are key to allowing individuals with diabetes to live successful lives. All individuals with diabetes should have regular medical check-ups as well.
Conclusion
Diabetes is a growing health problem in Anguilla. The number of children and adolescents with diabetes is increasing at alarming rates. We must do more to prevent diabetes from developing and for those with diabetes we must promote measures to prevent complications of poor glucose control.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr. Brett Hodge is an obstetrician/gynaecologist and family doctor who has over twenty years in clinical practice.
Dr. Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.
