Recent data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that 3.85 million South Africans (about 7% of the population) between the age of 21 and 79 may already have been diagnosed and living with diabetes. It is estimated that another 5 million have pre-diabetes (when your glucose level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered diabetes). Statistics have also indicated that between 2010 and 2016 there has been a 155% increase in adults living with diabetes. This begs the question; what can we do to take better care of ourselves?
What is diabetes?
The hormone insulin, produced by the pancreas, is responsible for controlling the amount of glucose in the blood. There are two types of diabetes:
Type 1 – Insulin dependency
A chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, and is often a complication of pancreatitus (when the pancreas has an infection). Individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes will need to regulate their blood glucose levels with regular insulin injections to keep these glucose levels normal.
Type 1 diabetes can be considered hereditary (genetic), but it can also be triggered by environmental factors, surgical complications and infections. If you have a close relative with type 1 diabetes you have a 6% chance of developing the condition.
Type 2 – Lifestyle diabetes
A condition that develops over time where the body might not produce enough insulin or the body becomes insulin resistant, which leads to cells not being able to use insulin efficiently. This causes a build-up of insulin as the body can’t absorb glucose normally, the body is therefore unable to use insulin, usually because of an unhealthy lifestyle. According to Health24, the majority of diabetics in South Africa have type 2 diabetes. However, many cases go undiagnosed as there are very few symptoms initially. The fact remains, many diabetes patients only get help when they already have complications, when 80% of type 2 diabetes could have been avoided by following a healthy eating plan and engaging in regular exercise.
Symptoms of diabetes
Symptoms can include fatigue, excessive thirst and urination, slow wound healing ands skin infections, blurred vision and regular bouts of thrush.
Possible complications associated with diabetes can include long-term health problems. The most common being vision loss and blindness in people of working age. Diabetes is one of the many causes of kidney failure and limb amputation and individuals living with diabetes are five times more likely to have a cardiovascular disease such as a stroke. In most cases these complications could have been avoided entirely by early diagnosis and proper treatment.
Prevention is always better than cure
Diabetes prevention is as basic as eating healthier, becoming more physically active and losing a few extra kilograms. It’s never too late to start. Making a few simple changes to your lifestyle now may help you avoid serious health complications down the road, such as nerve, kidney and heart damage. According to the American Diabetes Association there are a few ways to ensure that you can minimise your chances of being diagnosed with diabetes:
Physical activity
Healthy diet
Lose any excess weight
Sleep well
Keep medical appointments
When should I be tested for diabetes?
The American Diabetes Association recommends getting regular tests done every 3 years for any person aged 45 years or older, especially if you are overweight. If you are younger than 45 and overweight with one or more of the additional risk factors such as a sedentary lifestyle or family history of diabetes you should also get tested. Other additional risk factors include:
Living with diabetes
While there is currently no cure for diabetes, you can live an enjoyable life by learning about the condition and managing it effectively. It is possible to control the symptoms to minimise your risk of developing any further complications. This means eating a healthy diet, excercising regularly and losing weight if you are overweight or maintaining a healthy weight . Alcohol intake should always be in moderation and if you stop smoking it can also aid in living a healthy life.
We always say ‘Tomorrow is another day’ or ‘I will start tomorrow’, but what if tomorrow is the day that the doctor informs you that you have been diagnosed with diabetes? Once you have been diagnosed it is all about regulating, there is no going back. So, take care of yourself today.