ARMENIA JOINS THE GLOBE TO MARK WORLD DIABETES DAY

ARMENPRESS
Nov 14, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS: Armenia joined today other nations
to mark the first-ever United Nations World Diabetes Day, held on
November 14.

No child should die of diabetes" is the slogan of World Diabetes Day,
which focuses on the alarming progression of the disease.

Armenian medics estimate that the number of people in Armenia with
diabetes grows 4 percent every year.

Over 37,000 people have diabetes. The number of children with this
diseases also grows due to soaring rates of obesity, a major reason
accounting for the growth.

They acquire the so-called type 2 diabetes, a disease that used to
be seen primarily in adults over age 45.

Diabetes is a disease that wreaks havoc on just about every part of
the body, including the eyes.

While many of the health problems associated with diabetes are well
publicized, many people are unaware that the disease causes severe
vision problems that can lead to blindness. Persons with diabetes
are also at increased risk of developing cataracts or glaucoma.

While type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, it only accounts for about
5% to 10% of all cases. The rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes,
especially among children, adolescents has caused a huge increase
in total cases. Doctors say there are simple ways to avoid this
disease-to maintain a healthy weight, increase physical activity,
watch and control blood sugar levels and blood pressure.

Seven thousand people with diabetes out of the 37,000 in Armenia are
insulin dependent, others use pills to reduce the amount of sugar in
blood. All insulin dependant patients receive it free.