Seek treatment if diabetic
Diabetes is a chronic disease that can cause more harm if not treated early.
The operation manager of Gateway Clinic at Tambo Memorial Hospital, Nompumelelo Goba, said diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by inadequate insulin production.
She is sharing essential information about the chronic disease to commemorate World Diabetes Day today (November 14).
According to Goba, there are two types of diabetes – type one and type two.
“Type one diabetes causes the pancreas to produce little or no insulin. It is most common in children and adolescents and usually shows in them from the age of 12.
“Type two diabetes is caused by insufficient production of insulin causing high blood sugar. It’s normally known as an adult-onset disease characterised by high blood sugars, insulin resistance and a frequent need for urination, usually at night,” she said.
Goba said diabetes symptoms are severe thirst, weight loss accompanied by tiredness, bed wetting in children who have never had such episodes, excessive hunger, and blurred vision.
“The symptoms persist for weeks. People with this non-communicable disease must eat healthy food,” she said.
Goba mentioned that the diet for diabetic people must comprise many vegetables, starch, protein and fat.
“The person can eat as many vegetables as possible. They must eat a fist-size or one cup of starch, high-fibre cereal, half a cup of muesli, and two slices of whole-grain bread daily.
“They must take a quarter-plate of protein. They can consume fat daily, but their fat must be a tip of thumb size, or they can substitute it for half a small avocado,” Gaba advised.
Gaba said people with the disease are treated with oral anti-diabetic agents and insulin therapy.
“However, if diabetes is left untreated, it may lead to death, as well as complications such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and nerve damage.
“Our clinic treats 700 to 828 patients who are diabetic. To avoid being diabetic, you have to maintain a healthy weight, do physical activity regularly, eat healthy, avoid smoking and manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels,” she explained.
She said it also reduces blood flow if left untreated and increases the chances of foot ulcers, infections and eventual limb amputation.
Also Read: Get screened for diabetes for free at Healthworx
Also Read: What are the signs of type 1 diabetes in children?
