Detecting, managing and preventing diabetes this World Diabetes Day

Diabetes has been described as a worldwide epidemic.

It 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.

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To help raise awareness about the disease on World Diabetes Day, which is celebrated globally on November 14, Life Roseacres Hospital held a diabetes awareness day, on Thursday.

The hospital invited visitors, patients and staff members to test their blood glucose levels during the event.

Once the person’s blood sugar levels had been checked, student nurses Kgaugelo Mokgotho and Miedzo Deshe, who administered the tests, would discuss the results and offer the person further information and advice.

Each person received information pamphlets on diabetes and was encouraged to continue to test their sugar levels regularly.

“We hope that this event will help create not only awareness about diabetes, but also about the prevention and management of the disease,” said Karen Landsberg, the hospital’s marketing coordinator.

“We hope to also educate the community about the disease and its effects.”

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When asked why she felt awareness days such as this were important, Karen said, “It is very important to create awareness.

“Especially with a disease like diabetes which can go undetected.

“I also think once you see the statistics linked to the disease you realise how important it is to educate the community about the disease and make a difference.”

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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Ashley Kiley (Journalist) ashleyk@caxton.co.za.

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