IGCSE Case Study Courtesy: Amina Tiwana
Has public awareness and educational schemes been
able to aid early diagnoses and treatment of diabetes?
Introduction
The chronic condition Diabetes is
when a person suffers from really high or low levels of glucose. This disease
is categorized into two groups, Type 1 (insulin dependent) and Type 2
(non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination,
intense thirst, hunger and fatigue. Due
to high risks of cardiovascular diseases for a diabetic, it is crucial that
blood pressure and cholesterol levels are monitored regularly.
At the very start of this
research, I carried out a survey to find out the level of awareness regarding
diabetes amongst students and professionals, followed by a sugar test for the
ones with pre-diabetes. Most of them had
no clue about this disease, 70% said the disease targets aged people only while
many others were found to be going through most of the symptoms of diabetes and
not admitting to be diabetic at the same time. Even the ones who agreed on
having a diabetic blood relation weren't able to identify the dark side of this
condition.
Only around 10 percent of
individuals recognize their diabetic symptoms but no preventive measures can be
taken due to it being diagnosed at a later stage. Even in a well developed
country like the United States of America it is the seventh largest cause of
death (
www.diabetes.org). Little or no
knowledge regarding diabetes, results in a large number of individuals bringing
bad luck to their health through an unhealthy lifestyle. Research shows that
those with pre-diabetes who were aware much earlier than others, were less
likely to develop this condition while also engaging in a healthy and effective
lifestyle.
Global Perspective
According to the 'International Diabetes Federation' it
is estimated that around 8.3% of adults have diabetes, which makes 382 million
people globally and it is said to increase more than 592 million by the year
2035. Russia is the third country
with the highest number of diabetics all around the world. (www.diabetes.co.uk).
Annually $12.5 billion are spent on these patients but it still lacks basic
supplies for the care of these diabetics such as sugar checking strips and
daily medications.The most effective way of addressing this disease here is by
conducting programs in smaller cities where people are taught about their
health and possible preventions.
First world countries like the United States of America and the United Kingdom have a high level of
uncontrolled diabetes because of their relaxed lifestyle consisting of no
physical exercise and obesity. Both of them are trying their best to tackle
this problem by introducing new ways of awareness campaigns that would catch
public eye easily. Recently on the 18th of Oct 2015, hundreds of people came
out of their homes to spread awareness of Type 1 diabetes in Agawam, America through a brisk walk while
contributing towards the importance of diabetic awareness.
Regional Perspective
The number of diabetics in China is the highest worldwide with
more than 100 million cases (www.mediscape.com); however a fixed rate is hard
to state since many of these throughout their lives remain undiagnosed and
poorly treated. Obesity and lack of knowledge among the population is the main
reason for such a high rate of uncontrolled diabetic cases.
While India has a diabetic rate of 62 million, Bangladesh held the rate of 5.6 million in 2014. Due to poor
hygiene and bad healthcare/educational facilities these two under developed
countries have had a very bad diabetic record.The lower class tends to go
through greater difficulties since they are unable to pay for good healthcare
while the facilities provided by the government are completely helpless.
National Perspective
The awareness situation regarding
diabetes among the population of
Pakistan
is poor mainly due to the high rate of illiteracy and lack of counseling
sessions amongst the educational sectors. An underdeveloped country like
Pakistan counts as one of the top ten countries with a high rate of
uncontrolled diabetic cases. Diabetic individuals are said to go from 7.1
million to 11.4 million by the year 2025 (
www.dailytimes.com.pk).
However diabetics themselves as well as some organizations have started to play
a part in establishing diabetic related programs that aim to help identify
symptoms and provide financial as well as emotional support for others. Cricket
legend and diabetic; WasimAkram, whose considered as the greatest fast bowler
up to date, has continued to support and encourage many local diabetics as well
as others all across the world further helping them deal with their situation
in a much better way. His motto "Control diabetes rather it controls
you" pressurizes patients to not let this disease come in between their
life goals rather take it as an opportunity to develop a healthier
lifestyle.
Most of the local residents
believe that their own judgments as well as homemade remedies can help tackle
any disease without the need to go to a doctor for a checkup. They stand firm
by their insight and refuse to put their minds through any research. Many
pharmaceutical companies like Roche and Accu-chek have launched diabetic
campaigns in major cities of Pakistan where they carry out sugar tests and point
out early symptoms which has helped in indentifying early diagnosis to a great
extent.
Possible courses of action/ Future Scenarios
In order to reduce the spread of
this growing disease, one must start from an individual level by making himself
aware first and then carrying out the message around towards his community so
that the cycle of knowledge continues to pass on from one to another. Through
the help of social-media and television messages regarding diabetic precautions
and consequences should reach families who aren't educated and are restricted
to their household. In this way a large part of the population will realize the
importance of following a healthy lifestyle from an early stage which would
reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Unprofessional methods of the treatment
of patients also contribute to a high rate of diabetics. It is essential that a
strict check is kept on the way hospitals and doctors have been treating the
patients with proper medications present at all times.
With self determination and
effort, a diabetic can stay healthy and reduce the chance of other dangerous
diseases like cancer. Through the help of increased exercise and dietary
changes, one can reduce 5-7 percent of his/her body weight, which has been
proved by the 'Diabetes Prevention
Program'to be a good step ahead. A low fat and a low calorie diet with a 30
minutes' walk daily should be considered very important for someone who wishes
to remain healthy.
Special attention needs to be put
on whatever goes inside a diabetic's mouth. They would have to avoid certain
food items such as Potato's, fried food, processed meals, frozen food,
desserts, smoothies/juices and even soft drinks. With all these possible preventive
ways of establishing a better bond with one's own health, it may also include
some harder restrictions on some kind of people who generally won't agree to
change their way of life. Habits like smoking and drugs etc need to be shut down
immediately as these drugs have an adverse effect on the diabetic's health,
making their situation even worse.
Parents should pay special
attention towards their children's health and should look out for early symptoms.
Usually guardians tend to misunderstand the way some individuals try to explain
what they're going through, which of course can only be recognized if they are
aware themselves.
If an individual starts to bring
in some of these changes then they would definitely be moving towards a
healthier lifestyle, this would further improve the country's economic and
medical situation on a global level. Also others might get inspired and aware
by their efforts so an increase in educational awareness and a better society.
Personal Perspective
Belonging from a diabetic family
where my grandparents, aunts as well as a few cousins have been diagnosed with
this disease for almost a few decades now, I should've been able to identify my
condition way before it was too late. Unfortunately to my bad luck or to be
more precise the misunderstanding of my symptoms contributed towards the
situation I am in today. Despite consulting three very well known doctors of
the country for 9 months, they failed to point out hypoglycemia (low blood
sugar levels) as my major clash with diabetes while making me follow a routine
suitable for people with very high sugar levels resulting in sudden
unconsciousness and several faint attacks. Lately while in a discussion with a
diabetic although younger than me, she pointed hypoglycemia in my condition as
she had herself experienced it and warned me to consult a different doctor and
reduce exercise which was highly encouraged by my previous doctors. To my
surprise she had been right and my sugar readings started to balance out after
sometime.
Many people who had developed a
healthy lifestyle with this disease often told me a single statement "the
cure to diabetes is self discipline only". Unlike other diseases the only
way out is to live with this condition without losing hope while having control
over yourself. Depression and anxiety was another factor contributing towards
my low sugar levels which was again indentified by fellow patients when I
started taking part in the "Diabetics Association of Pakistan's"
weekly counseling sessions where discussions amongst all age groups takes place
so that one can help inspire one another and also to get a better understanding
of our own condition. Here the doctors are only confined to this very disease
which makes them give more time to patients like us who are still in the
process of healing physically as well as emotionally.
Organizations like these are very
rare in a country like Pakistan but the few present have helped a lot of people
in many different ways specially by pointing out a direct link between
depression and diabetes. Many people have admitted to have attempted suicide at
least once after not being able to handle their health properly while also
being bullied for it or due to other problems in life. While some invest their
thoughts in self harm and try to take their own lives by an intentional
overdose of insulin, others lose all hope and stop their medication routine due
to self discouragement.
I clearly remember joking with my
cousins a few months back on a diabetic related awareness program that went
well with my condition, not knowing it was addressing me for the near future. I
personally believe apart from the much negativity a condition like diabetes
brings with itself it although has a positive impact on one's personal
lifestyle as well. The positivity that comes helps you shape your life in a better
way, like time management through daily alarmed checkups, ending up healthier
and stronger than before due to physical exercise and an increase in your
knowledge that makes you want to inspire others so that they learn from your
mistakes.
Awareness has although helped
many diabetics towards a better future however in terms of early diagnosis it
has succeeded very little, only after a person falls into the diabetic trap
does he catch interest in these kinds of issues. All this time after being diagnosed with Type
1 diabetes; which is the rarer side of
this disease (since 90% of diabetic cases are mostly Type 2) I have been
inspired by many people both old and young to live with the social stigma
attached with this disease and to not let it be a disturbance in my life. Not
only was I discouraged by the society and made guilty for such a thing to
happen to me but my very own family had been discriminatory towards me to some
extent and had asked me to keep all this to myself as it was considered to be a
very shameful thing to happen specifically to a women. Today things are very
different as compared to the time when I was introduced to it all but now while
looking back what made the difference was educating one another through the
little awareness present.
Bibliography
Websites
Videos/TED
Talks
·
"Reversing Type 2 diabetes starts with ignoring the
guidelines | Sarah Hallberg | TEDxPurdueU" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da1vvigy5tQ (Accessed: 1-10-2016/ 11-20-2015)
Graphs
(Accessed: 9-8-2016)
Visual Evidence (Survey and Posters
for awareness)
Survey
Q.) Name: Q.) Profession:
Q.) Age:
·
Under 14
·
14-17
·
18-25
·
25-50
·
Over
50
Q.) In
general, you'd say your health is:
·
Excellent
·
Very
good
·
Good
·
Fair
·
Poor
Q.) What do
you know about Diabetes?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Q.) Do you
have Diabetes?
·
Yes
·
No
Q.) Do you
know someone who has diabetes?
If yes,
please indicate who? (Ex: Friend/Parents/Grandparents/Relatives etc)
______________________________________
Q.) Tick any
of the symptoms listed below that you go through. (If only)
·
Frequent
urination*
·
Disproportionate
thirst*
·
Intense
hunger
·
Weight
gain or unusual weight loss
·
Increased
fatigue
·
Irritation
in legs/feet/ankles
·
Blurred
vision
·
Cuts/Bruises
don't heal properly or quickly
Q.) Do you
think Diabetes is completely curable or not?
·
It
is
·
It
isn't
