10% of the population of the West Bank suffer from diabetes

Diabetes Unit of the University Hospital of La Ribera estimated that 10% of the population of the region suffers from a type of alteration called diabetic Diabetes Mellitus (DM), and 50% of these are unaware of it.

With an estimated population of 250,000 inhabitants, the number of patients with diabetes in the West Bank could put about 25,000. 10% of these patients are Type 1 diabetes (diagnosed in childhood or early youth and dependent on insulin treatment since the onset of the disease. 90% of these patients are type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult diabetes or not-to insulinodepediente onset of the disease).

In the day yesterday was held on World Diabetes Day, a disease that is characterized by high levels of blood glucose (hyperglycemia) due to a cellular resistance to the actions of insulin and / or a relative deficiency of insulin.

The importance of DM as a public health problem is determined by the development and progression of chronic microvascular complications (retinopathy, neuropathy) and macrovascular (cardiovascular disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease), which affect the quality of life and cause of diabetic a high rate of disability.

However, from the Diabetes Unit of the Hospital suggests that the use of health resources and an adequate educational program, improving the quality of life of the diabetic patient. Dr. Fajardo, coordinator of the Unit of Diabetes, considered basic components, along with education Diabetes, which requires the collaboration of the patient: diet, exercise and medication.