Diabetes is one of chronic non -transmissible diseases (ECNT), along with cardiovascular diseases, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases.These, in Uruguay they are responsible for 60% of all deaths and 62% of death between 30 and 69 years (early mortality).
It should be noted that a high percentage of these diseases can be prevented, or slow their evolution, through health promotion interventions, as well as their timely prevention and treatment.
ECNTs are characterized by the presence of risk factors (FR) long before the disease is declared.Among them we have behavioral, such as tobacco consumption, harmful alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, low level of physical activity and other factors related to physical measurements, such as high blood pressure, overweight/obesity, high blood glucose and high cholesterol.
The main thing is that all these factors can be modified through prevention actions.
In that context, data collected in our country, by carrying out the 2nd.National Survey of Risk Factors of Chronic Non -Transmissible Diseases (ECNT), carried out in 2013 by the General Directorate of Health (DIGESA) and the Epidemiology Division of the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), showed that specifically regarding theDiabetes, the prevalence of people with high glycemia values (greater than or equal to 126 mg/dl) without diagnosis of diabetes is 50.2% of the population, of which 68.8% and women are men and women 30,7%.
Another prominent fact is that the prevalence in diabetes in population between 15 and 64 years is 6.0%
With regard to the prevalence considering age range is 7.6% in the group of 25 to 64 years (adults) being older compared to the group of 15 to 24 years (young) which is 0.8%.Among the age range of 55 to 64 years the prevalence is 17.3%.
There are no prevalence studies of representative diabetes between 0 and 14 years.
The experts
The Republic consulted Dr. Mario Zelarayán, director of the Honorary Cardiovascular Health Commission (CHSCV) who recalled that people who have type 2 diabetes in our country doubled last year, going from being 5.4% of Uruguayans,at 8.3%.
Meanwhile, the diabetologist Andrea Peloche, president of the Society of Diabetology and Nutrition of Uruguay, said that “in Uruguay we are very good in regard to the prevention, treatment, comprehensive approach and the new drugs for treatment.Also in regard to the academic knowledge that each colleague has at the nursing level. ”
Diabetes de Uruguay Foundation
seek laws for diabetic people
Every November 14, World Diabetes Day is commemorated, and that day is exploited by the Diabetes Uruguay Foundation (FDU), composed of relatives and young people with type 1 diabetes, to carry out several activities with the aim of spreading and raising awarenessof this disease that in our country affects more than 260,000 Uruguayans, and that has a high index of people who have it and do not know it yet.
A blue circle is the worldwide symbol of awareness of diabetes.
The members of the Foundation join efforts to achieve a better quality of life in patients suffering from this chronic disease, so they work daily to overcome the difficulties that Uruguayan society presents.
His president, Gisele Mosegui, is a mother of Alejandro, a 16 -year -old who has been the aforementioned pathology of type 1, said that “our country is 'mirror' of what happens throughout the world”, and added that"The diabetic numbers that currently exist worldwide are those that were foreseen by 2030", so "you have toimprove and much the prevention and education campaigns that exist. ”
"The disease is" silent ", because in many cases it does not manifest until it is very advanced," Mosegui explained, based on the medical information available to the Foundation.
He recalled that there are two types of diabetes, type 1 and 2. In the latter case they can spend years without the person finding it and only perceives it when he already has complications.
It can be detected if medical blood sugar routine controls are done.
Meanwhile, type 1 has a clearer diagnosis, since it does not produce insulin, and that causes decompensations and other symptoms such as thirst, hunger, it is always tired and quickly losing weight.
"This has an alert, which is the" diabetic debut ", to which parents and doctors have to be attentive and do the relevant controls," he warned.
Mosegui said that "there is no general state policy about pathology, since it seems that the issue is important, so we are working to raise awareness that it is."
From the Foundation we work with the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) and the National Fund for Resources to achieve things that lack the sick and support their families.Talks are also organized to inform about the pathology and educational camps are also made.
"We want to improve the quality of life of diabetics, and that occurs largely with adequate food, but also with consistent laws, that's why we go to Parliament to claim."
Law of 1971
In our country there is a Diabetes Law that is from 1971, which is necessary to replace with a more modern one and that takes several issues that the current one does not contemplate, he highlighted.
Exemplified with the needs in the treatment of type 1 diabetics today, many of those who need insulin pumps, which are very expensive, since they cost around US $ 8,000, and their monthly supplies are close to US $800.
The mother denounced that the project of the new standard on diabetes "is struck.In addition, the MSP does not want to legislate due to diseases, but in several, but in the meantime we do not advance in the subject. ”
Asked about the complaint that there are several places where food is sold in which "there is no sweetener" and therefore drinks can only be taken "bitter" or with sugar, which is "totally discriminatory," said Mosegui, "would beregulated in the new law so that this does not happen. ”
When asked about what the Foundation has recently done, the activist reported that “last month we made the 4th camp for teenagers and young people at the AEBU campsite in Piriapolis, the 1st without adults.There were 40 boys from Montevideo and the interior, who were accompanied with professionals of all kinds, to provide more tools for them to use them. ”
Mosegui said that “after the camp several changed their attitude, they were motivated.Many of them are now working on the presentation of a project in the INJU-MIDES of Education in Diabetes throughout the country.It consists of going to Liceos to do diabetes workshops, which will give the same young people with diabetes.It is a necessity.
Many know anything about this disease. ”
In addition, they are planning the diabeolimpíadas that will be carried out in August on the athletics track, and a large movement for November in the quarries of the Rodó Park for the day.
Also from July they will have a headquarters again, in a place that gave them in the home of residents of Flores.
Finally, Mosegui recalled that “we need collaborations, since we have no partners.They can help us through the Abitab 37698 or network groups Payments 22878 ”.