Okay, so it’s #WorldDiabetesDay and no better time to talk about facts and myths of Diabetes than today. Often times, people don’t even understand the cause and how to manage it.
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when blood sugar is too high. Blood glucose is the main source of energy and comes from the food eaten. Several major things can go wrong to cause diabetes. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the most common forms of the disease, but there are also other kinds, such as gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy, as well as other forms.
• Symptoms
1. Increased thirst
2. Frequent urination
3. Extreme hunger
4. Unexplained weight loss
5. Presence of ketones in the urine (ketones are a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat that happens when there's not enough available insulin)
6. Fatigue
7. Irritability
8. Blurred vision
9. Slow-healing sores
10. Frequent infections, such as gums or skin infections and vaginal infections
According to IDF in 2019, about 20 million adults (age 20-79) are living with diabetes in Africa. This figure is estimated to increase to 47 million by 2045.
Here are some myths about diabetes:
1. Diabetes is Caused by Eating Too Much Sweet Food.
2. Diabetes Can be Cured.
3. Patients on Insulin Have More Serious Diabetes Than Those on Oral Medications.
4. Amputation is Inevitable for Diabetics.
5. People With Diabetes Should Avoid Carbohydrates.
- Dr. Aderonke Dairo
