Although diabetes, a chronic condition affecting millions in Nigeria and the rest of the world, is often referred as a lifestyle disease, recent findings have shown that large chunk of people living with the disease were affected not as result of lifestyles.
Majority also inherited the disease from their forebears.This fact is supported by the number of children and young adults diagnosed with the disease yearly.
According to reports, an estimated 85 per cent of all type 1 diagnoses take place in people aged under 20 years.
For instance, the National Diabetes Statistics Report 2020 stated that about 210,000 children and teenagers under the age of 20 years in the United States have diabetes.
Similarly, the recorded incidence of type 1 diabetes among children aged 0-14 in Nigeria is 2.9 per 100,000 children per year.
Only two other African countries have recorded incidences for type 1 diabetes, namely Tanzania (0.9) and Zimbabwe (0.8). The comparative incidence rate in European countries is around 18.
In 2014–2015, doctors diagnosed type 1 diabetes in around 18,291 young people aged 10–19 years and type 2 diabetes in around 5,758 young people.
Also, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported that, each year, rates of type 1 diabetes are rising by 1.8per cent , and rates of type 2 diabetes are rising by 4.8 per cent.
Hence, people can develop type 1 diabetes at any age, from early childhood to adulthood, but the average age at diagnosis is 13 years.
Consequently, there is need to empathise with people living with the diabetes, considering the stress, financial, psychological and physical burden associated with managing the condition.
By recognising their struggles, we can create a more supportive and inclusive environment for those living with diabetes.
In addition to emotional support, practical empathy is equally important in assisting those living with diabetes.
Society can play an active role by promoting accessible healthcare services, ensuring better insurance coverage, and encouraging workplace accommodations for individuals managing their condition. Simple acts of kindness, such as offering a variety of healthy options at social gatherings, can make a significant difference in avoiding feelings of exclusion or guilt.
Recently, I participated in a Diabetes Empathy Challenge organised by Roche Diabetes Care, where I spent a day in the shoes of a person living with diabetes.
In the challenge, I spent 24 hours as a Type 2 diabetes patient, diagnosed two years ago, and placed on specific self medication. This involves testing of insulin before and after meals, taking blood sugar measurements, weight and blood pressure, special diets, exercises and others.
During the challenge, I was made to wake up by 7:00a.m. to check my blood sugar, measured in mg/dl, take my weight and blood pressure and logged the results into treatment application called My Sugr App. This Is repeated shortly after break fast, which must be healthy and balanced with more of water and fruits, followed by medication and added pills sometimes.
The therapy must not be forgotten, while accurate steps and measurements should be strictly taken. Injections are also administered in the abdomen and the leg, and must be logged appropriately in My Sugr app for doctor’s monitoring.
This procedure is repeated before lunch by 12 noon and after meal, then the exercises, involving at least taking about 1,800 steps every day. I followed suit during afternoon breaks by 3:p.m, then dinner by 6:00p.m, followed by the last testing for the day and drugs by 10:00pm, while maximum eight hours of sleeps and reflections on the treatment followed.
To stay alive the routine is a must and could not be achieved successfully with teamwork, empathy by the society and financial support considering the cost of treatment.
For me, it was a difficult task for a day, and unimaginable that one has to do it for a lifetime, without skipping time, meal and still undertake other daily tasks, and all that.
My experience is that diabetes, often referred to as a silent epidemic, affects people of all ages and backgrounds.
It disrupts daily routines, necessitating careful monitoring of blood sugar levels, strict dietary considerations, and constant medication management.
However, its impact extends far beyond these physical aspects, as individuals also cope with emotional and mental health challenges resulting from their condition.
Consequently as a society, it becomes incumbent on us to foster empathy and understanding towards individuals managing this condition.
By recognising their struggles, we can create a more supportive and inclusive environment for those living with diabetes.
Firstly, it is essential for us to acknowledge the emotional toll diabetes takes on those living with it. Feelings of frustration, anxiety, and even depression can arise due to the constant need for self-management, fear of complications, or social stigma.
Empathy, in this context, means recognising these emotional struggles and offering support and understanding.
Creating safe spaces for individuals to express their emotions and fostering non-judgmental communication are vital steps towards cultivating empathy. Education and awareness initiatives are key ingredients in bridging the gap of understanding.
By encouraging proactive conversations, we can help dispel misconceptions and reduce the stigma surrounding diabetes.
Empowering individuals with knowledge about diabetes and its impact not only assists in building empathy but also supports early detection and prevention efforts.
In addition to emotional support, practical empathy is equally important in assisting those living with diabetes. Society can play an active role by promoting accessible healthcare services, ensuring better insurance coverage, and encouraging workplace accommodations for individuals managing their condition.
Simple acts of kindness, such as offering a variety of healthy options at social gatherings, can make a significant difference in avoiding feelings of exclusion or guilt.
Communities and organisations should prioritise creating spaces for individuals with diabetes to share their experiences, challenges, and coping strategies. Peer support groups, online forums, and social media communities can foster a sense of belonging, provide information exchange, and inspire mutual encouragement.
By showcasing diverse stories of resilience, highlighting their triumphs over challenges, and dispelling stereotypes, media outlets can shape public perceptions and promote a more compassionate society.
It is imperative that we actively work towards fostering empathy and support for those living with diabetes. The power of empathy lies in its ability to contribute to a society that not only acknowledges the struggles faced by individuals with diabetes but also strives to advocate for them.
By understanding their experiences, addressing their emotional and practical needs, and promoting inclusivity in our communities, we can create a world that embraces everyone, regardless of their health condition.
As highlighted by a diabetologist in the Diabetes Care Centre, Cape Gate, South Africa, Dr Julien Trokis, teamwork is needed for proper management, while society should encourage early detection and pockets/friendly drugs for people living with diabetes
While lifestyle adjustments can be instrumental in preventing diabetes, Dr Trokis, who has a special interest in diabetic kidney disease, and currently national principal investigator for South Africa. urged anyone with potential risk factors to get tested, and follow regular self-monitoring of blood glucose, as early diagnosis can save lives.
