Free diabetes screening at La Lucia Mall
The screening will act as a reminder to raise awareness of diabetes and how to make the best of a diagnosis.
THE Rotary Club of Umhlanga will be hosting a free diabetes testing clinic on Saturday, 28 October at La Lucia Mall (outside Food Lovers Market) from 9am to 2pm. The testing and counselling clinic comes days before the start of National Diabetes Awareness Month.
According to the club’s Clive Hull at last year’s clinic a total of 237 people were screened and tested by professional nurses in the space of five hours.
“Of these 70 per cent were women, 22 were in the danger zone with a reading over eight, the highest being 19,3 by a 65 year old man who had never been tested before. Diabetes is on the rise in South Africa, and is the second leading cause of death. With early diagnosis and sticking to prescribed medicine, people with diabetes can lead healthy lives. We really hope the community will come out and support the event. This is a good reminder to raise awareness of diabetes, make sure you know how to spot the symptoms and signs and how to make the best of a diagnosis,” he said.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes occurs when the body cannot convert glucose (sugar) from food into energy. There are two main types of diabetes known as Type 1 and Type 2.
· Type 1 diabetes is a result of the pancreas stopping producing the blood sugar hormone, insulin. Insulin is a hormone that lowers the level of glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood, important for energy. Type 1 diabetes usually starts in younger people under 30 and can often be passed down from generation to generation.
· Type 2 diabetes is caused when the hormone keeping your blood sugar steady does not work properly. Type 2 diabetes is more common than Type 1 and many people who have the condition don’t even know they have it.
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