Today is World Health Day. This year’s theme “Beat Diabetes” is extremely relevant to us in T&T because of our high incidence rate. WHO focuses on increasing the life expectancy, good health and promoting healthier living habits. Some objectives of the celebration are, but not limited to:
• Providing detailed knowledge of avoidance of various diseases and their complications;
• Promoting selfcare among people;
• Motivating health authorities to make their own efforts in creating healthy environments in their country;
• Protecting families living in the disease vulnerable areas;
• Make travellers aware of the protection from vector borne diseases.
Diabetes occurs when the pancreas do not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively utilise produced insulin.
There are three types of diabetes
Type 1 diabetes which is the most frequent among children and adolescents; and
Type 2 diabetes which is the most frequent among adults and is linked to obesity or overweight, lack of physical activity and poor nutrition;
3. Gestational diabetes which is a pregnancy complication.
Why is diabetes so prevalent in TNT?
Heredity, poor diet, lack of vitamin D, obesity, viral infections, chronic stress, nutritional deficiencies.
What are the diabetic symptoms?
Frequent urination and excessive thirst; rapid weight loss; increased appetite; skin problems; slow healing, yeast infections; excessive fatigue and bad mood, blurry vision; gum problems; feeling tingling or numbness.
What we should do.
Maintain a healthy weight relevant to our height; eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains; give up sweetened soft drinks; exercise regularly, eat less fast food; use fish and olive oil; eat breakfast; get enough sleep; visit the doctor regularly and follow instructions.
T&T, let us all work together toward the prevention, care and surveillance of diabetes.
AV Rampersad,
Princes Town