Common ‘overlooked’ conditions could increase Covid-19 risk
Check out these medical conditions which could increase your risk should you become infected with Covid-19.
It is not only elderly people with respiratory problems who are at risk of Covid-19.
According to health minister Zweli Mkhize, people who have high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity are also at risk.
Also known as “comorbidities” or “comorbid conditions”, these conditions or diseases occur along with others in the same person at the same time.
“These are the most common underlying medical conditions of those who have died of Covid-19 to date,” Mkhize said.
Here are some “comorbidities” to look out for:
Weight and Body Mass Indicator
Your Body Mass Indicator (BMI) calculator checks if you’re at a healthy weight. Calculate yours by:
– Dividing your weight in kilograms (kg) by your height in metres (m)
– Then dividing the answer by your height again to get your BMI.
Any number less than 18.5 indicates you are underweight while a number between 25 and 29.9 means you are overweight. Obesity is classified by a BMI of 30 and higher.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high.
Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy.
There are two main types of diabetes:
– Type 1 occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin. It usually starts very quickly and in younger people. If you have Type 1 diabetes you need insulin injections to survive as well as having a carefully balanced food intake and exercise programme.
– Type 2, formerly called adult-onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, occurs when the pancreas makes too little insulin or your body can’t use the insulin effectively. It usually develops in adulthood and is often caused by being overweight and not exercising.
Approximately 85-90% of all people with diabetes Type 2 are undiagnosed. This can result in serious damage to parts of the body and lead to blindness, heart attack\stroke, kidney failure, impotence and amputation, so it’s vital to be checked.
Blood pressure
Blood pressure is the pressure of blood in your arteries – the blood vessels that carry blood away from your heart. In South Africa, more than one in three adults live with high blood pressure.
High blood pressure or hypertension is when blood pressure stays elevated over time. Hypertension is often known as the “silent killer” since nearly 33% of people who have it, don’t know it.
If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your arteries (and your heart) and if it’s not treated, hypertension can cause kidney failure, eye problems, heart disease and stroke.
“South Africans must take control of their health by getting an annual wellness test done,” said Bonitas medical aid principal officer Lee Callakoppen.
“Knowing your numbers will help you manage your health better. That way your lifestyle diseases are under control, especially during these difficult times.”
Lee said the medical aid has created a Covid-19 Hub on their website to help keep South Africans updated on the pandemic.
“We also have a rapid response unit within our call centre to offer advice and support to members concerned about contracting Covid-19.”
The aid’s mobile app allows members and non-members to consult with a general practitioner from their home.
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