“Diabetes is a worldwide epidemic.
“Statistics on the disease are horrible, with one in 10 adults reportedly being diagnosed with diabetes.”
These were the words of Dr Andreas Stavrides, a specialist physician at Life Roseacres Hospital, ahead of a Diabetes Awareness Workshop at the hospital last Saturday.
Diabetes is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar.
The hormone insulin moves sugar from the blood into your cells to be stored or used for energy.
With diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t effectively use the insulin it does make.
To help raise awareness, the hospital held the workshop and invited Stavrides, dietician Anita Mostert and podiatrist Jade Young to speak to the community about the disease and its treatment and management.
Before Stavrides began his talk, guests were invited to have their weight, blood glucose, heart rate and blood pressure checked by Sr Doreen Seopa and student nurse Miedzo Deshe.
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“There are two types of diabetes,” began Stavrides.
“The first, type 1 diabetes, occurs mainly in children and is when the immune system (the body’s system for fighting infection) attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas.
“The second, type 2 diabetes, is most common in adults.
“It is reported that 425 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with diabetes, is that common enough?
“This means this isn’t a disease we have controlled, despite education, despite technology and despite social media, the number of people with the disease is still rising.
“Why is that?”
Stavrides, who focuses on type 2 diabetes, went on to explain that a patient will seldom suffer from just diabetes, as the condition can lead to other health complications, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage, foot damage and skin conditions.
“Some early symptoms of diabetes can be unexplained weight loss, poydipsia (excess thirst), polyuria (frequent urination), blurred vision and recurrent infections,” said Stavrides.
“Treatment is available for the disease, in both its forms.
“But patients need to be aware what is required from them to optimise therapy and prolong life.”
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Mostert also spoke to guests about maintaining a balanced and healthy diet.
“Diet can make a huge difference in the maintenance and management of chronic illnesses,” Mostert said.
Anita offered a tip for busy people when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet.
“Try to prepare meals in advance,” Mostert said.
“Often we will resort to fast food because when we get home after a long day we are too tired to cook or don’t have time to cook.”
Young explained that early detection and treatment with regard to injuries of the feet is key for a diabetic.
“If anything goes wrong, seek help immediately,” said Young.
“I would also recommend that patients with diabetes don’t walk barefoot, get all ingrown toenails seen to by a professional and keep blood glucose as low as possible.”
Before leaving, guests were treated to some healthy treats.
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za
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