Just how much do you know about diabetes? Sure you have probably picked up a pamphlet listing the symptoms of the condition or maybe someone you know has it. But do you really know the early warning signs? And would you know the real effect it can have on your life?
Cases of diabetes in Africa are on the rise and by 2030, the number of people expected to be living with this condition will have doubled. And in South Africa we are really one of the populations in trouble.
The Basics of Diabetes
This is by no means a basic health condition but there are a few basic things that you should know about diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is an autoimmune condition caused by the body attacking its own pancreas with antibodies and the damaged pancreas does not make insulin.
This type of diabetes is either genetic or caused by faulty beta cells in the pancreas. The medical risks involved with this type of diabetes can include damaged tiny blood vessels in the eyes, nerves and kidneys. More serious cases have reports of an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Very high or very low blood glucose levels can lead to a diabetic coma in people with Type 1 or 2 Diabetes. This is just one of the facts that highlight the severity of having diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes is treated with insulin, injected through the skin into the fatty tissue. Careful management of glucose levels, daily exercise and a careful meal plan will ensure a long active life for people with Type 1 Diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is the milder of the two but can still cause major health complications in the tiny blood vessels in the body that nourish the kidneys, nerves and eyes. The risk of heart disease and stroke are also a risk factor.
Type 2 Diabetes is the more common of the two, accounting for about 95 percent of adults diagnosed with this condition. This type of diabetes is non-insulin-dependent, which means the pancreas produces some insulin, but the amount produced is either not enough for the body or the body’s cells are resistant to it. Medications, diet and regular exercise are needed to manage this condition optimally.
At the moment there are 3 and half million South Africans, roughly 6% of the population, living with diabetes. These are just patients who have been diagnosed and does not take into account those who are unknowingly living with diabetes.
There are no known causes of Diabetes but there are known factors that could be increasing your risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
• Family history of diabetes or inherited tendency • Being overweight (20 percent or more over your desired body weight) • Physical stress (such as surgery or illness) • Use of certain medications, including steroids and blood pressure medications • Injury to the pancreas (such as infection, tumour, surgery, or accident) • Autoimmune disease • High blood pressure • Abnormal blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels • Age (risk increases with age) • Alcohol (risk increases with years of heavy alcohol use) • Smoking • History of gestational diabetes or delivery of a baby weighing more than 9 pounds (4.1 Kg). • Pregnancy
Some of the early symptoms of diabetes are an increased thirst, frequent urination, numbness or tingling in the hands or/and feet, slow healing sores or injuries, blurred vision or frequent yeast infections. Feeling hungry even though you are eating normally and unexplained weight loss are also common symptoms.
Diabetes is diagnosed by doing a blood test. One needs to “fast” from ten a clock at night and then do the “fasting glucose test” and “HbA1C” test before eating or drinking anything in the morning. If diagnosed with Diabetes, your doctor will prescribe the necessary medicine and together with the help of a dietician, they will work on a healthy diet plan and appropriate exercise routine.
Under no circumstances should this condition be left untreated or self- medicated.
People diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus can lead normal active lives provided they take their medication, check their glucose levels regularly, exercise and follow a healthy eating plan.
A diabetes diagnosis is no reason to not live your life to the fullest. At Russell’s Pharmacy we help numerous diabetic patients with their medication requirements. We also have a clinic where you can get great advice for the management of diabetes.
