‘Diabetes and well-being’ is the theme of World Diabetes Day 2025, which is celebrated today, with a focus on the ‘Diabetes in the workplace‘ campaign. The aim is to share knowledge, because “with adequate care and support for their well-being, anyone with diabetes has the opportunity to live well”.
Every year, November 14th is World Diabetes Day. A celebration established by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization, in memory of the birthday of Frederick Banting, who, together with Charles Best, was responsible for the discovery of insulin in 1922.
This day aims to raise awareness about the disease and disseminate tools for preventing diabetes, which has seen a significant increase in cases around the world. Diabetes mellitus, also known as diabetes, is a disease characterized by excess blood sugar (hyperglycemia). This happens when the body cannot use insulin effectively and/or does not produce enough insulin.
To understand the degree of risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next 10 years, see the video below:
There are several types of diabetes, the three main ones being type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. [ver ‘Explicador’
de 13 de Novembro, abaixo]. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, characterized by the destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas by the immune system. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, characterized by the body’s resistance to the action of insulin. It is often associated with an unhealthy lifestyle.
The most common symptoms of diabetes are increased hunger and thirst, frequent and large urination, dry mouth, extreme tiredness and blurred vision. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by sudden weight loss. The diagnosis is made through laboratory blood tests, where blood glucose values are analyzed. Fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance and glycated hemoglobin are analyzed, which evaluates the average blood glucose level over the previous three months.
The risk group for type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes includes people over 45 years of age, those with obesity or overweight, high blood pressure, pre-existence of another cardiovascular disease, a family history of diabetes, and people with a history of gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby weighing more than 4kg.
There are, however, preventive measures that relate, above all, to a healthy lifestyle. To prevent type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes, you must reduce the amount of sugar and saturated fats in your diet, maintain a balanced diet, practice regular exercise, avoid alcoholic beverages, not smoke and maintain a normal weight.
Complications and treatment
Diabetes is a chronic disease. In other words, there is no cure. However, there are forms of treatment that control excess blood sugar and that, when combined with an improvement in eating habits and lifestyle, make the disease controlled and reduce the complications associated with it. With the correction of risk factors, type 2 diabetes may even be in remission.
When we talk about complications, we are referring to the increased development or emergence of health problems such as eye disease and blindness, chronic kidney disease, stroke, myocardial infarction, sexual dysfunction, skin infection, gum inflammation, pregnancy complications, and depression.
Usually, the treatment of this disease involves behavioral measures and pharmacological measures. Treatments that must be monitored by a multidisciplinary team appropriate to each case. For type 2 diabetes, in addition to adopting a healthier lifestyle, there is the taking of non-insulin antidiabetic medications and/or insulin. In the case of type 1 diabetes, treatment involves insulin.
Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas, necessary for the passage of glucose (sugar) from the blood to the body’s cells, and its use to produce energy. When insulin is missing or does not act properly, blood glucose levels rise.
Diabetes at work
As previously mentioned, on this World Diabetes Day the ‘Diabetes in the Workplace’ campaign was launched, which aims to raise awareness of diabetes and well-being in the workplace. Out of every 10 people in the workforce, 7 (412 million people) live with diabetes, with 3 out of every 4 suffering from anxiety, depression or another mental condition due to diabetes. The International Diabetes Federation also reports that 4 out of 5 people with diabetes have dealt with ‘burnout’ related to the disease.
Millions of people with diabetes face daily challenges managing the disease in the workplace, including stigma, discrimination and exclusion. This has a negative impact on your well-being, whilst limiting career progression.
International Diabetes Federation
The objective of this World Diabetes Day is, therefore, to share knowledge about this disease, normalize and raise awareness in any way possible, through conversations, participation in online activities and sharing on social networks.
