On 7 April the world observes World Health Day. The theme for 2016 is BEAT DIABETES.

This is your chance to test your knowledge about this crippling disease. Complete this quiz to find out how much you know. The correct answers appear below.

1. Diabetes is best described as…
A metabolic disease characterised by low blood sugar
A metabolic disease characterised by high blood sugar
A family of blood infections
None of the above

2. Diabetes can be cured with diet, exercise and medication.
True
False

3. Which is not a symptom of diabetes?
Itchy skin
Thirst
Constant urination
Muscle pain

4. Most people with diabetes can feel when their blood sugar is getting high.
True
False

5. People with diabetes can eat as many fruit as they want.
True
False

6. It is a wise choice to cut all fat from your diet if you have diabetes
True
False

7. How much aerobic activity should most people with diabetes get each week?
60 minute
90 minutes
150 minutes
500 minutes

8. Different forms of diabetes include:
Type 1 diabetes caused by an autoimmune destruction of the insulin producing cells in the pancreas
Type 2 diabetes characterised by inadequate insulin production, and diminished insulin action
Others types, for example after surgical removal or injury to insulin producing cells in the pancreas, or genetic mutations
All of the above

9. It’s OK to have a beer or a glass of wine if you have type 1 diabetes.
True
False

10. How does a person get diabetes?
It is inherited it from a family member
By eating too much sugar
Not known

 

Answers

1. Correct answer: A metabolic disease characterised by high blood sugar
Diabetes is a group of metabolic conditions characterised by elevated levels of blood sugar. It results from problems with insulin action or insulin secretion from the pancreas.

2. Correct answer: False
There is no cure for diabetes. However, diet, exercise and medication can help manage glucose levels and prevent complications.

3. Correct answer: Muscle pain
Diabetes affects many different body systems and causes a number of symptoms, including:

    • Excessive hunger and/or thirst
    • Dry mouth
    • Increased urination
    • Tiredness
    • Unexplained weight loss
    • Headaches and vision changes
    • Poor healing of sores
    • Vaginal infections
    • Impotence
    • Weight gain
    • Numbness or tingling of the extremities
    • Itchy skin.

4. Correct answer: False
Type 2 diabetes is often a silent disease. You may feel fine even though chronically high blood sugar levels are doing serious damage to your body. When it comes to monitoring diabetes, don’t rely on how you feel. Don’t wait until it’s advanced enough to cause symptoms.

5. Correct answer: False
Yes, fruit is a key part of a healthy diet. However, the problem with eating too many fruits is that fruit contains carbohydrates which may cause your blood sugar to get too high. In general, opt for smaller pieces of fruit and choose whole fruit over juices.

6. Correct answer: False
If you have diabetes, you shouldn’t cut out all fat. Reduce unhealthy saturated fats — the kinds found in processed foods — but make sure you’re getting enough healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Reducing saturated fats will lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, a serious complication of diabetes.

7. Correct answer: 150 minutes
Exercise has the following benefits for people with diabetes:
Lower blood sugar and blood pressure
Improved body use of insulin
Boosted heart health.

8. Correct answer: All the above
The causes of diabetes range from the body’s immune system attacking the insulin producing cells, to a combination of inadequate insulin production and tissue resistance to the action of insulin, to pancreatic injury and multiple other causes.

9. Correct answer: True
An occasional drink will not do any harm, but mixed drinks can be a problem as they tend to have a lot of carbohydrates. Another good idea when you drink alcohol is to have it with food and water.

10. Correct answer: Not known
The root causes of diabetes are still a mystery to doctors and scientists. Diabetes occurs when a person’s pancreas stops manufacturing insulin  or the body becomes resistant to the insulin that’s available.

 

Sources

http://www.medicinenet.com/diabetes_quiz/quiz.htm
http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/rm-quiz-diabetes-dos-donts
http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/type-1-child-15/rm-quiz-type1-diabetes
http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/quiz-index
http://www.accu-chek.com/survey/completeSurvey.do