What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by high levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar), which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.
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There are two types of Diabetes:
Type 1
Type 1 diabetes presents early in life. It is where the pancreas does not produce any insulin. Patients are dependent on insulin
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Type 2
Type 2 diabetes is largely diet related. The body does not use insulin properly.
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Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It helps the body use sugar as it needs and then stores the rest. If there is not enough insulin or the insulin is not used by the body properly, there will be large amounts circulating in the blood.
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What are the risk factors for type 2 diabetes?
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Overweight/obesity
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Physical inactivity
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Age
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Diabetes with a first degree relative – father, mother, brother, sister
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History of diabetes in previous pregnancy
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Heart disease and its risk factors
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Ethnicity (Afro-Caribbean, Hispanic)
Symptoms of Diabetes
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Thirst
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Urinate often. Frequent urination at nights
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Tired easily
Self-diagnosis and self-medication are not recommended
Seek medical attention if you have any of these symptoms.
Diabetes is preventable
A regular glucose check-up is needed in adults with risk factors since the main symptoms can appears after years of having the disease; moreover, complications such as blindness, kidney disease, macrovascular complications and neuropathy can be the first manifestation of Type 2 diabetes.
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Simple lifestyle measures have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. To help prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications, people should:
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achieve and maintain healthy body weight;
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be physically active – doing at least 30 minutes of regular, moderate-intensity activity on most days. More activity is required for weight control;
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eat a healthy diet, avoiding sugar and saturated fats; and
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avoid tobacco use – smoking increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Diabetes can be treated and its consequences avoided or delayed with diet, physical activity, medication, and regular screening and treatment for complications.
Diabetic foot problems are amongst the most common
Diabetic Foot Care
Diabetic foot problems are amongst the most common, costly and severe complications of diabetes.
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How to take care of your feet
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Inspect your feet daily. Check for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or nail problems. Use a magnifying hand mirror to look at the bottom of your feet.
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Bathe feet in lukewarm, never hot, water. Keep your feet clean by washing them daily. Use only lukewarm water – the temperature you would use on a newborn baby.
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Be gentle when bathing your feet. Wash them using a soft washcloth or sponge. Dry by blotting or patting, and dry carefully between the toes.
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Moisturize your feet but not between your toes. Use a moisturizer daily to keep dry skin from itching or cracking. But don’t moisturize between the toes – that could encourage a fungal infection.
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Cut nails carefully. Cut them straight across and file the edges. Don’t cut nails too short, as this could lead to ingrown toenails.
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Never treat corns or calluses yourself.
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Shake out your shoes and feel the inside before wearing.
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Seek professional care for ulcer management