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Could you have diabetes and not know it?

Could you have diabetes and not know it?

According to Diabetes South Africa, 3.5 million South Africans are living with diabetes. However, it's thought that many more South Africans could be diabetic without knowing it.

A further five million people have pre-diabetes, a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet for diagnosis of diabetes. If left uncontrolled, pre-diabetes will eventually lead to type 2 diabetes.

Worldwide, 366 million people have diabetes - a number that's expected to rise to 552 million by 2030. The global number of people with pre-diabetes is currently 280 million, and is expected to grow to 398 million by 2030.  

Diabetes is a chronic health condition where the body is unable to produce enough insulin and properly break down glucose in the blood. Glucose comes from food and is used by the cells for energy. Without this energy, we cannot live.

So, why should you care?
Diabetes affects everyone – not only the patient, but also \families and communities at large. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, amputations, kidney failure and death.

The majority of people suffer from type 2 diabetes, a condition that could be avoided altogether by following a healthy diet and exercising regularly and going for routine blood glucose tests. Obesity is one of the strongest precursors of type 2 diabetes, so keeping your weight in check is crucial. Some people, however, also have a strong genetic predisposition to develop diabetes, such as our Indian population. Knowing the risk factors for diabetes is therefore very important.

The initial symptoms of type 2 diabetes (such as fatigue, increased thirst and urination, frequent infections and blurred vision) are very mild and develop so gradually that many people often fail to recognise them as warning signs of diabetes.

Take care of your family's health - and your own - by getting the facts on diabetes and spreading awareness. Here's what you need to know:

There are three types of diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body stops producing insulin. It affects mostly children and young people. Learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatment.

- Type 2 diabetes is a condition that develops over time where the body is unable to use insulin properly. Learn more about the risk factors, symptoms and treatment.

- Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy due to hormonal changes, genetics and lifestyle factors. Protect your health and that of your baby by checking your risk factors and having your blood glucose levels tested when pregnant.

Are you at risk?
Pre-diabetes or insulin resistance is a condition in which the body produces insulin but does not use it properly. More and more people are diagnosed as pre-diabetic. If left untreated, it can develop into type 2 diabetes.

SA's Indian population is at greater risk to develop diabetes, due to their genetic predisposition.

Few people realise that there are interactions between diabetes, tuberculosis (TB), and HIV/Aids, and their various treatments. 

If any of these factors apply to you, you are also at increased risk for diabetes:

- Overweight or obese
- Physically inactive
- Family history: a parent or sibling has diabetes.
- Women who developed diabetes during pregnancy
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol 

Get tested
Everyone over age 45 should have their blood glucose tested; some medical experts recommend starting earlier, at age 40. Your results will indicate whether or how often you need to repeat the test.   

Talk to your doctor about your family history and risk factors for diabetes – it may be advisable to start testing earlier.

(Health24, November 2013)


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