Introduction

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels, resulting from insufficient insulin production or poor utilization of insulin by the body. In simpler terms, it occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body does not respond properly to it.

In the Adamawa region, particularly in Ngaoundéré, denial of the disease, lack of awareness, exclusive reliance on traditional remedies, and non-adherence to treatment are among the main causes of diabetes-related deaths. Yet early screening allows for effective management and prevents severe complications.

This disease can affect anyone, regardless of age, and the number of affected individuals remains concerning. In 2024, approximately 774,200 adults in Cameroon were living with diabetes, representing 6.9% of an adult population estimated at over 13.8 million. Projections indicate continuous growth, with more than 1.9 million cases expected by 2050.

Causes

There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes, also called juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes, results from the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas, leading to a total absence of insulin. It mainly affects young people. Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form, combining insulin resistance with insufficient insulin secretion. It accounts for 90–95% of adult cases but is increasingly observed in younger populations.

Risk Factors

Several factors increase the risk of developing diabetes, including: sedentary lifestyle, abdominal obesity, family history, hypertension, age and sex, genetic predisposition, having given birth to a baby weighing more than four kilograms, history of gestational diabetes, and high triglyceride levels.

Symptoms

Common symptoms include: frequent urination (polyuria), excessive thirst (polydipsia), increased appetite, weight loss, and persistent fatigue.

Complications

Diabetes complications can be degenerative or metabolic: Degenerative complications: retinopathy (eye blood vessel damage), nephropathy (kidney damage), diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), sexual weakness, diabetic foot (which can lead to amputation), and cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic complications: often manifest as hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic coma.

Prevention

Preventing diabetes relies on simple measures: Awareness and education about the disease, screening via blood glucose measurement and biological tests to confirm diagnosis, early and appropriate treatment once diabetes is diagnosed, and regular monitoring of blood sugar, kidney function, vision, cardiovascular health, and foot condition to prevent complications

Conclusion

Given the alarming rise of diabetes in Cameroon, which could affect nearly two million people by 2050, it is more crucial than ever to break the silence surrounding this disease. Denial, ignorance, and exclusive reliance on traditional remedies should no longer be obstacles to timely medical care.

Prevention and systematic screening remain our best tools against this “silent killer.” Every citizen, community, and health institution has a role to play in raising awareness, supporting patients, and ensuring a healthier future for current and future generations.