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Types of Diabetes, Awareness and Prevention

man testing blood for diabetes

November is National Diabetes Month in South Africa; anyone can get diabetes; therefore, screening is important. The secret to diabetes is knowledge; you can empower yourself to manage your illness. 


In this article we will speak about the different types of diabetes, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options.


What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition where your pancreas in your body cannot regulate your glucose levels. A person's pancreas releases insulin, which then utilises the glucose, affecting multiple organs in the body.  Screening and testing must be done at least annually.


As per Dr Patrick Ngassa Piotie from the University of Pretoria Diabetes Research Centre: “For poorly managed patients, diabetes can lead to severe health complications, such as nerve damage, kidney issues, heart disease, stroke, vision impairment, and mental health disorders.”


How many types of diabetes exist?

There are four types of diabetes:

  1. Type 1 diabetes, which needs insulin treatment and can be managed.

  2. Type 2 diabetes, which can be managed, controlled, or prevented with lifestyle and / or medication.

  3. Diabetes with pregnancy, which is called gestational diabetes.


What’s the difference between diabetes type 1, 2, and diabetes with pregnancy?

Most people are only aware of diabetes type 1 and diabetes type 2, but few know about the other type of diabetes. Here is a short description of each:

  • Diabetes Type 1: It is an autoimmune condition. Your body is not producing any insulin. This is the type where devastating effects like amputations often occur.

  • Diabetes Type 2: Your body has insulin, but your body is not able to use the glucose or utilise the insulin. When high glucose levels are present, complications will follow. This type of diabetes is preventable through a healthy lifestyle, although some causes, such as a family history of diabetes or an underlying medical condition, are unpreventable, and therefore regular testing is urged.

  • Diabetes with Pregnancy: This is when a woman is diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy. She will have a 50% chance of developing diabetes after pregnancy, and her children are also at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

 

Diabetes is an epidemic, according to Dr. Reyna Daya, Chairperson of the Society of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes South Africa (SEMDSA) and Head of the Endocrine Division at Helen Joseph Hospital, University of Witwatersrand, who was interviewed on SABC News. Statistically, she says that it has been estimated that the number of patients with diabetes globally will increase by 123% by the year 2045.

 

What are the risk factors that increase my chance of being diagnosed with diabetes?

  • A family history of diabetes

  • Being over 45 years old (although diabetes also affects children)

  • Having gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) will increase your risk for type 2 diabetes

  • Coming from a high ethnic background (especially Indian and traditional Caucasian Afrikaners have been identified)

  • Having an underlying medical condition

  • Obesity or being overweight as a result of overconsumption of sugar

  • Poor diet (meals with high sugar, carbs, saturated and trans-fat intake)

  • Sedentary or inactive lifestyle

  • Smoking

 

How can I decrease my risk of developing type 2 diabetes? 

  1. Maintain a healthy weight and monitor your weight regularly

  2. Understand what a healthy diet and lifestyle is

  3. Follow a low carb, low sugar, and low-fat diet

  4. Drink water instead of carbonated soda

  5. Avoid sugar containing juices. Rather eat fresh fruit or vegetables

  6. Incorporating rooibos tea or green rooibos tea will also assist in regulating blood sugar levels

  7. Get off the couch and become active for at least 30 minutes per day (minimum of 4 times per week)

  8. Manage stress levels

  9. Annual finger prick test


Screening will assist in picking up your blood sugar levels, which will assist in early intervention if abnormal blood sugar levels are detected. Ranges from 3.9 to 5.5 are considered normal.

Side Note: Did you know a diabetes test is included in your Vitality Screening?


How do I know if I have diabetes?

There are patients who present with no symptoms at all.

All patients present differently, but here are general symptoms:

  • Increased thirst

  • Increased urination

  • Blurred vision

  • Delayed healing of wounds

  • Unintentional weight loss

  • Increased skin infections

  • Feeling tired

  • Increased hunger (especially in type 1 diabetes)

SIDE NOTE: Please visit a healthcare provider for a test, as you cannot diagnose yourself nor diagnose yourself from reading an article. You can also have diabetes but present no symptoms at all.


“The bulk of people are actually undiagnosed,” according to Dr. Noluthando Nematswerani.

Therefore, raising awareness of the condition and educating yourself about it is imperative.

It’s your responsibility to get screened often, which will assist you in preventing diabetes. 


Treatment of Diabetes


What is the treatment for type 1 diabetes?

A doctor will treat you with supplementing insulin. This is usually done via an injection that you can administer yourself. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is without question, as the consequences of type 1 diabetes can be fatal.


What is the treatment for type 2 diabetes?

You will be required to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Medication will be prescribed by your doctor in the form of metformin in the form of tablets or injectables, and if that is not successful, a second medication will be prescribed.

 

According to the World Health Organisation:

“Additional medical care may be needed to treat the effects of diabetes:

  • foot care to treat ulcers

  • screening and treatment for kidney disease

  • eye exams to screen for retinopathy (which causes blindness).”

 

More Diabetes Stats and Facts:

  • Diabetes is the second leading cause of death from noncommunicable diseases in South Africa, with tuberculosis at the top

  • The most common form of diabetes is type 2

  • Diabetes can damage blood vessels in the nerves, kidneys, heart and eyes

  • Diabetes can cause permanent blindness

  • Lower limb amputation can occur in diabetics

  • Diabetes can increase high risk health problems such as stroke, kidney failure and heart attacks

  

The winning recipe to prevent diabetes is knowledge. Empower yourself to manage your own illness and get tested regularly; it can save your life.

 

Contact us now to book your blood sugar level test.

 

You can also book your Vitality Health Check with our practice which includes screening of the following:

  • Blood pressure

  • Blood glucose

  • Cholesterol

  • Weight status (BMI, weight, height and waist circumference)

  • Non-smoker’s declaration.

 



References:

 

 

 

 

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