World Diabetes Day is observed annually on November 14th. This year’s theme is “ Diabetes and Well-Being.”
This theme highlights the importance of managing diabetes holistically. Diabetes is a chronic condition that not only affects the physical side but also has mental, psychological, and social implications. People with diabetes are 2 to 3 times more likely to have depression than people without diabetes. Only 25% to 50% of people with diabetes who have depression get diagnosed and treated. And without treatment, depression often gets worse, not better.
Some of the symptoms of depression include; feeling sad or empty, losing interest in favourite activities, overeating or not wanting to eat at all, feeling very tired, feeling hopeless, irritable, anxious, or guilty, and having thoughts of suicide or death. People with diabetes are 20% more likely than those without diabetes to have anxiety. Managing a long-term condition like diabetes is a major source of anxiety for some. Living with diabetes can be challenging and may impact your mental health. Seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression. Engaging in activities you enjoy and practicing relaxation techniques can also improve emotional well-being.
Diabetes also has social implications as it causes a lot of financial stress in people living with the disease. Frequent visits to the healthcare facility can result in financial constraints for most patients. These frequent visits as well may result in absence at work with implications to the employer. Policymakers need to make healthcare easily accessible for all. Employers also need to afford their employees the time to be able to go to the healthcare facility for review. Diabetics often need to check their glucose regularly or have more frequent meals. This provision must be made in the workplace.
In addition to ensuring good mental health the following aspects are also important in the holistic management of diabetes. This includes; a well-balanced diet, which focuses on portion control, a diet rich in fiber, and an increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. Regular exercise plays a vital role in diabetes management by improving insulin sensitivity and lowering blood sugar levels. Walking and Jogging are good forms of exercise that result in better glucose control.
The North West District Health Management team has been having pre-activities leading up to this day. Some of these activities were at Toteng Clinic, New Mall, Mall of Maun, and Bus Rank. The purpose of these activities was to sensitize the community about world diabetes day, do health education, and do screening. The final day for celebrating World Diabetes Day will be on the 15th of November and will be held at Old Mall in the open space next to Nandos.
