Page 9 - IFV Issue 1_2024

Estate News

THE JOURNEY TO POSITIVE

LIVING WITH DIABETES

After the festive season, when there’s so much decadent sweet stuff around,

one invariably has the urge to purge oneself of all the toxins and unhealthy
eating. Now is also a good time to check one’s sugar levels and make sure that
there’s no hint of diabetes lurking around. What should you do if you suspect
you are heading that way?

earing the diagnosis for the first time that you have eventually need insulin to be added to their treatment. However,
diabetes can be overwhelming and may leave you with many cases of Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by making
Hmixed emotions - it’s stressful, it requires an entirely new simple changes in our everyday lives and knowing the risks.
approach to aspects such as lifestyle and diet, and it’s tough to
manage. “But it’s perfectly possible to lead a healthy, fulfilling and UNDERSTAND THE SYMPTOMS – THEY MAY NOT BE AS
active life with the right healthcare and family support, medication HARMLESS AS YOU THINK
and personal attitude,” explains Dr Ntsiki Molefe-Osman, Diabetes Sometimes people overlook the warning signs of diabetes
Medical Advisor at Lilly South Africa. because they do not experience symptoms, or the symptoms
seem harmless. It is important to talk with a health care provider
Diabetes comes in two types – Type 1 and Type 2. if you have noticed:
• If you have Type 1 diabetes, your body is unable to produce • unusual weight loss,
sufficient insulin of its own in order to maintain healthy blood • frequent urination,
sugar levels in the body. It usually begins in childhood or • tingling or numbness in your hands or feet,
adolescence and is caused by a faulty autoimmune response • a persistent feeling of hunger or thirst,
that causes the body to destroy the pancreatic cells that produce • drowsiness, nausea or blurred vision.
insulin, which in turn leads to an insulin deficiency. People with
Type 1 diabetes must take insulin, as it is vital to staying healthy MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES IS CRUCIAL FOR YOUR
and achieving the most consistently normal sugar levels, to FUTURE HEALTH
ensure a good quality of life. There’s no cure for Type 1 diabetes, “If diabetes is diagnosed – whether Type 1 or Type 2 - it’s very
although researchers are working on preventing the disease important to manage your blood sugar levels according to the
as well as the further destructive progression of the disease in guidelines provided by your doctor or healthcare provider. The
people who are newly diagnosed. huge emphasis on strict control and disease management if
• Type 2 diabetes is far more common and, according to the you’re living with diabetes is with very good reason. Diabetes is
International Diabetes Federation (IDF), there were 2,28 million an exceptionally challenging disease to live with and manage,
diagnosed cases of Type 2 diabetes in South Africa in 2015¹. In requiring the support of specialist doctors, and a huge amount of
the case of Type 2 diabetes, insulin is produced, but the body’s discipline on the part of the patient in managing the demanding
cells do not respond to it correctly. Instead, the body becomes diet, lifestyle and treatment regimen,” explains Dr Molefe-Osman.
resistant to insulin. It is most often, but not always, associated There are a number of health challenges that come with living
with obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity, advancing age, with diabetes including²:
family history of diabetes, ethnicity and high blood glucose • Diabetes can lead to eye disease (retinopathy), which can
during pregnancy. It can go undiagnosed for years. Due to damage vision and even cause blindness.
the progressive nature of the disease, most Type 2 cases will • Poorly controlled blood glucose and high blood pressure can lead

The Villager • Issue 1 2024 • 7