Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions as approximately two million South Africans could be living with the disease.

November marks World Diabetes Month and 14 November marks World Diabetes Day.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disorder of the metabolism and is characterised by increased blood sugar levels either because the body does not produce enough insulin or the body does not respond properly to insulin.

It has often been called the invisible disease and is much easier to recognise when one knows what to look for.

What do the stats say?

One in two adults with diabetes live with the condition undiagnosed.

What can diabetes do?

It is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, lower limb amputations as well as blindness.

The aim of World Diabetes Day is to get screened for the disease. It is firstly to change the course of the disease and to reduce the risk of complications such as blindness.

Diabetes and blindness:

Diabetic retinopathy which leads to blindness is the most common eye condition among diabetics. Fortunately, diabetic retinopathy is an avoidable tragedy. To avoid this, your eyes need to be checked regularly.

Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), a pharmaceutical company is taking hands with healthcare providers including the Independent Practitioners Association Foundation (IPAF) as well as the Society for Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes South Africa (SEMSDA).

The partnership was created to provide blood glucose screenings free of charge to the public on World Diabetes Day.

“The management of diabetes and its complications begins in primary healthcare, that is, with your GP or local clinic. If you are diagnosed as diabetic, you should undergo eye screening for retinopathy once a year.

“Eye checks are included in the diabetes treatment guidelines for both private GPs and clinics and patients should ask for one if the healthcare provider does not suggest it,” Dr Shanil Naidoo, Medical Director of Boehringer Ingelheim South Africa said.

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