Diabetes is the third leading cause of death by disease in this country, and
millions of South Africans remain undiagnosed - largely due to a lack of
education.
Sylvia Anne Lombard, nursing service manager at Clinix Selby Park Hospital,
a part of the Clinix Health Group, says the disease is common in the
elderly, with up to 50% of people older than 65 suffering with diabetes to
some degree.
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With Diabetes Day on 14 November, Clinix Health Group, the largest
black-owned health group in South Africa, will be running several
initiatives at its five hospitals (Clinix Private Hospital Soweto, Lesedi
Private Hospital, Clinix Private Hospital Sebokeng, Clinix Private Hospital
Vosloorus and Clinix Selby Park Hospital) next week.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism - the way our bodies use digested food
for growth and energy. Most of the food we eat is broken down into glucose,
the form of sugar in the blood, which is the main source of fuel for the
body. After digestion, glucose passes into the bloodstream, where cells for
growth and energy use it. For glucose to get into cells, insulin must be
present. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, a large gland behind
the stomach.
In people with diabetes, the pancreas either produces little or no insulin,
or the cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced.
Glucose builds up in the blood, overflows into the urine, and passes out of
the body. Thus, the body loses its main source of fuel even though the blood
contains large amounts of glucose.
"The medical term for the disease is Diabetes Mellitus, with 'mellitus'
being a Greek word for 'sweet as honey'," says Lombard. "This is a fitting
description of the disease as diagnosis is obtained by tracing the sugar
levels in urine."
The major classifications of diabetes are:
Type I diabetes
Type II diabetes
Gestational diabetes mellitus - this usually starts during pregnancy, in
the second or third trimester.
Diabetes mellitus associated with other conditions or syndromes. Also
known as secondary diabetes, it is accompanied by conditions known or
suspected to cause the disease e.g. hormonal abnormalities, medications such
as cortico sterioid and estrogen-containing preparations.
What are the symptoms?
The signs of diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination, feeling
very hungry or tired, unexplained weight loss or weight gain, sores that
heal slowly, loss of sensation or tingling in the feet, and blurry eyesight.
Some people experience one or more of these signs, while others have no
signs at all.
How to manage it
"It is very important to pay close attention to your diet, exercise routine,
medication and insulin levels," says Lombard. "If you do so faithfully, it
helps to keep diabetes related complications such as heart and kidney
disease, nerve damage and blindness at bay."
The main goal of diabetes treatment is to normalise insulin activity and
blood glucose levels to reduce the risk of further complications. Careful
screening and monitoring of patients is a key step when intensive therapy is
initiated. The therapeutic goal for diabetes management is to achieve normal
blood glucose levels without seriously disrupting the patient's usual
lifestyle and activity.
There are five components of diabetes management:
Nutritional Management - Nutrition, diet, and weight control are the
foundation of diabetes management.
Exercise - Exercise is extremely important in managing diabetes because of
its effects on lowering blood glucose and reducing cardiovascular risk
factors. General precautions for exercise in diabetes include using proper
footwear to prevent injury, avoid exercise in extreme heat or cold, inspect
feet daily after exercise prolonged injuries or broken skin, and avoid
exercise during periods of poor metabolic control.
Monitoring glucose levels and ketones - Blood glucose monitoring is a
corner stone of diabetes management, and Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose
(SMBG) levels by patients has dramatically altered diabetes care.
Pharmacologic therapy - When administering insulin, it is very important to
read the label and doctors script carefully to ensure that the correct type
of insulin is administered.
Transplantation - Transplantation of the entire pancreas or segment of the
pancreas is being performed on a small group of patients, and it has shown
promise.
"The patient must receive health education on the possible complications of
insulin therapy and must also be taught self-care," says Lombard.
"Compliance to the therapeutic plan, which includes diet, self-medication
and monitoring blood glucose levels, is the most important goal of
self-care.
"In addition to follow-up care with professionals, participation in support
groups is encouraged, providing the patient with an opportunity to share
valuable information and experiences and to learn from others," she
concludes.
Press release issued for and on behalf of Clinix Health Group by Cathy Findley Public Relations.
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