The number of individuals living with diabetes has risen drastically over the years. There are about 3.6 million people living with diabetes in South Africa. According to the latest statistics taken in 2016- Diabetes is the second leading cause of deaths in South Africa. Educating members of the communities in the Cape is so important to let these individuals live a healthy life with diabetes.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or does not effectively use the insulin it produces.
What is Insulin?
Insulin is a hormone that is produced and secreted by the pancreas. Insulin regulates the blood sugar/glucose levels in the body by breaking down the glucose in the blood and absorbs into the cells to be used as energy. Insulin acts as a key that unlocks the cells to let the glucose in.
What are the Types of Diabetes?
Type 1:
This is also known as insulin dependent diabetes. Individuals with type 1 diabetes have a deficiency of insulin as their pancreas does not produce insulin. Thus these individuals administer insulin daily to control their blood sugar levels effectively. This type is unfortunately not preventable and the cause is unknown.
Symptoms:
- Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
- Weight loss
- Excessive excretion of urine (polyuria)
- Fatigue
- Vision change
- Muscle cramps
- Constant hunger
Type 2:
Also know as non-insulin dependent diabetes. Individuals with this type- their body’s ineffectively use the insulin that the pancreas produces. Their body either produces too little insulin or it uses the insulin ineffectively. It is mainly due to individuals being over weight and physically inactivity.
Symptoms
The symptoms can be similar to those of type 1 however, they are less obvious. Some individuals don’t experience any symptoms and are only diagnosed several years after the onset- once the serious complications have risen.
Hypoglycaemia vs Hyperglycaemia
Average blood glucose levels should range between 4.0mmol/L- 6.4mmol/L
Hypoglycaemia: this is low blood sugar levels in the body- the body’s main source of energy. This can be due to diabetes treatment by taking too much insulin, exercise and having irregular meal times. Symptoms include confusion, heart palpations, shakiness, anxiety, emotional changes and irritability. Consuming foods and drinks that have sugar in them such as apple juice, fruit or crackers and cheese can treat this.
An individual must always remember to consume a fruit with a protein to make sure their sugar levels do not spike. Examples of these are
- Apple and peanut butter/ nuts
- Fruit and nuts/ biltong
- Fruit and a glass of milk
- Provita crackers and cheese.
Hyperglycaemia:
This refers to high levels of glucose in the blood. This occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin. This causes severe dehydration, fatigue, excessive thirst and excessive excretion of urine. Individuals with diabetes will correct their sugar levels by administering insulin or taking their prescribed oral medication. Regular exercise prevents this from occurring.
Important Complications
As a diabetic or a friend or carer of a diabetic- these are important complications to look out for.
- Increased risk of heart attacks and strokes
- Reduced blood flow causing nerve damage (neuropathy). Neuropathy causes loss of sensation and thus individuals have an increased risk of foot ulcers, infections and limb amputations.
- Diabetic retinopathy- damage to the small blood vessels of the eye resulting in blindness.
- Most common complication is kidney failure.
Easy and Quick Meals that are Diabetic Friendly
Breakfast:
- Weet- Bix and full cream milk (Don’t add sugar)
- All Bran flakes with full cream plain yoghurt
- Jungle Oats (Don’t add sugar)
Lunch:
- Avocado on Low GI toast.
- Brown rice with any vegetable of your choice.
Supper:
- Spaghetti Bolognese with whole- wheat pasta ( Or leave the pasta and replace with veggies)
- Roasted/ mashed potatoes (instead of fried potatoes) with grilled chicken.
Snacks:
- Apple and Peanut butter as a snack.
When to seek Medical Attention
Individual with type 1 and Type 2 diabetes should seek medical attention if
· Have difficulty maintaining normal blood sugar levels
· Develop persistently blurred vision
· Urinate frequently
· Feel excessive thirst
· Get frequent headaches
· Have blood sugar persistently above 240 milligrammes per decilitre (13.3 millimoles per litre) and ketones in your urine
· Develop fruity-smelling breath
· Experience belly pain or vomiting
· Can't lower your blood sugar with diabetes medications
· Become confused
Support Groups
Mitchells Plain Diabetes Support Group
Carol Hendricks
Cell: 084 906 3905
Email: carolhendricksjada@gmail.com
Town Centre Library Group
Comments