Preventing Diabetes

Due to the rapid progression of diabetes and other chronic metabolic diseases, several
governments, institutions, and pharmaceutical companies have invested great amounts
of money to investigate the pathogenesis and pursue new treatment (Roberto, Swinburn
and Hawkes, 2015). Definitely, latest drugs and technologies are unceasingly
developing. Yet they do not control the increased number of individuals with diabetes:
the more patients are cured, the newer cases are discovered. The prognosis of diabetes
has not gained vital progress either. This is mainly because, thus far, disease
prevention has not been involved in the agenda globally; and no successful methods
have been taken to avert the illnesses from the cause.

Can diabetes be averted? In fact, the response is evident. In 1986, the principal study in
China researching diabetes prevention was conducted in Daqing, where patients with
impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) received lifestyle intervention, including diet control
and exercise (Pan, Li and Hu, 1997). Later, the research was followed by the Diabetes
Prevention Study (DPS) in Finland and the American Diabetes Prevention Program
[DPP] (Lindström, Louheranta and Mannelin, 2003). These researches have evidenced
that lifestyle intervention has the ability to effectively prevent the development of
diabetes for patients with IGT.

In 2008, the Sino-Japanese Friendship Hospital, Daqing First Hospital, and the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States concluded the “20-year follow-
up study of China Daqing Diabetes Prevention”, which reported that 92% of the
population with high diabetes risk were diagnosed with diabetes in the absence of
intervention in 20 years; but the number was abridged by 43% after 20 years with only a
six-year-long lifestyle intervention (Li, Zhang and Wang, 2008). These results proved
that lifestyle intervention for diabetes prevention is definite and long-lasting. Lifestyle
intervention not only contributes to effectively decreasing blood glucose level during the
intensified intervention period, but also maybe to improving healthy habits acquired
during the intervention.

Hypothetically, the prevention of diabetes can definitely be attained, and possible as

well. The rapid escalation in the occurrence of diabetes resembles with the latest
ecological and lifestyle transformations. Long-term excessive calorie consumption,
increased consumption of dietary protein and lipids, and reduced physical activities are
the core factors in diabetes development (Shi, 2016). Thus, it will certainly achieve great
success to start with adjustment of lifestyle transformations.

Prevention of diabetes entails reshaping and sustaining a transformed way of life.

Initially, diabetes prevention involves restraints on human behavior, scientific
assistance, and years of perseverance and self-discipline. Second, the effect of
diabetes prevention may be discernible 10 or even 20 years later, which is challenging
to be recognized by today's evaluation system since society prefers quick success and
instant benefits (Shi, 2016). Despite these, the need for organizing prophylactic
activities of different types such as education and screening is evident, and prophylactic
programs should be carried out at local or more general levels. Diabetes prevention is
likely to bring huge benefits for individuals, countries and the entire human race, and
incalculable conservation for society resources as a whole.
Diabetes prevention and other chronic metabolic diseases has become tremendously
significant, requiring rapid action of individuals, society, and government. As suggested
by the aforementioned evidences, it requires experts to put forward proposals and
specific approaches, governments to increase education, and the active contribution of
all. If these measures are utilized, then diabetes and other chronic metabolic diseases
would no longer be unbeatable diseases affecting human health, and their prevention
would greatly improve the quality of life.
Symptoms of Diabetes
In lieu to this, it is significant for one to recognize the early symptoms of diabetes as it
will not only affect your life at present but it may lead to complications in the future.
According to WebMD, some common symptoms of diabetes are dry mouth, frequent
urination or urine infections, increased thirst, increased hunger, cuts or bruises that are
slow to heal, and blurred vision.
Sources:
Roberto C.A., Swinburn B., Hawkes C. Patchy progress on obesity prevention:
emerging examples, entrenched barriers, and new thinking. Lancet. 2015;385:2400–
2409.
Pan X.R., Li G.W., Hu Y.H. Effects of diet and exercise in preventing NIDDM in people
with impaired glucose tolerance. The Da Qing IGT and Diabetes Study. Diabetes Care.
1997;20:537–544.
Lindström J., Louheranta A., Mannelin M. The Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study
(DPS): lifestyle intervention and 3-year results on diet and physical activity. Diabetes
Care. 2003;26:3230–3236.
Li G., Zhang P., Wang J. The long-term effect of lifestyle interventions to prevent
diabetes in the China Da Qing Diabetes Prevention Study: a 20-year follow-up study.
Lancet. 2008;371:1783–1789.
Shi, BY. The importance and strategy of diabetes prevention. 2016; 2(4): 204–207.
Diabetes Warning Signs. Retrieved November 18, 2018 from
https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetes-warning-signs?
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