National Diabetes Awareness Month: Take a step towards good health

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and with Type 2 Diabetes posing a serious health threat globally, now is the time to have yourself and your family members checked.

Natalie Brunninger, spokesman for Diabion, outlines the risk factors, symptoms and the importance of getting tested.

Type 2 Diabetes is a silent killer and we underestimate the amount of people who actually die from the disease. Type 2 Diabetes is for the most part a lifestyle disease and it’s the first time in known history that a non-infectious disease has posed a serious global health threat.

Today, globally, there are 382 million people living with diabetes1 and the majority of them are aged between 40 and 59. The disease is on the increase, especially in children and adolescents, and it is up to each of us as individuals and as families to make sure that we keep healthy, eat well and check our diabetes status annually.

Type 2 diabetes is considered a lifestyle disease and is for the greater part due to an unhealthy lifestyle. The good news is that Type 2 Diabetes is a preventable disease. In fact, a large bank of evidence supports the benefits of lifestyle interventions – healthy diet and physical exercise – to prevent the onset and development of diabetes1. With this in mind, it is important to take ownership of your health and you family’s health.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. All types of diabetes are on the increase; type 2 in particular: the number of people with diabetes will increase by 55% by 2035.

Type 2 Diabetes is a condition characterised by high blood glucose levels caused by either a lack of insulin or the body’s inability to use insulin effectively. It develops most often in adults but is increasingly seen in children and adolescents.

In Type 2 Diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin works in allowing the body to use glucose for energy. When you eat food, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose. The food you eat gets digested and broken down into a sugar your body’s cells can use.

When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems: Right away, your cells may be starved for energy. Over time, high blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves and/ or heart.

Risk Factors

If you are suffering from any of the below, have your blood glucose levels checked and consult your doctor.

1. Obesity

2. Poor diet

3. Physical inactivity

4. A family history of diabetes

If you are showing signs of any of the above factors or are concerned that you may have Type 2 Diabetes, visit a pharmacy that has a clinic and ask them to check lipid levels (cholesterol), blood pressure and blood glucose levels.

If the levels show that you may have diabetes, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as you can.

People with diabetes are at risk of developing a number of disabling and life threatening health conditions, including serious diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. There is also the increased risk of developing infections, so ensuring that you know your diabetes status is of utmost importance.

Preventing the onset of Type 2 Diabetes

1. Take a step towards living a healthier lifestyle

2. If you are carrying extra weight, start a diet and exercise regime that will help you drop the kilograms and keep them off

3. Stop smoking

4. Drink alcohol in moderation

For people with Type 2 Diabetes

For people who have the condition it is important to take a holistic approach in managing the disease. Exercise regularly, eat properly and ensure that you have the correct support in terms of supplementation.

Type 2 Diabetes is a progressive disease, but if you eat healthily, take supplementation, keep fit and take your medication as prescribed, it will help you live a long, healthy life.