Diabetes and amputations
The one thing that is rarely discussed when it comes to diabetes is the number of amputations that occur each year as a result of the disease.
The one thing that is rarely discussed when it comes to diabetes is the number of amputations that occur each year as a result of the disease.
This sign post is common in Kitengela. This ‘doctor’ can get rid of the tummy fat but also ‘treat all chronic diseases’. Some of these ‘doctors’ use herbs, others are ‘faith healers’ who pray and ‘break curses’ and therefore get rid of impotence, fertility problems, money and relationship problems. What is it like for children being taken to these ‘healers’?
Today, the 7th of April, the World Health Organization (WHO), is marking World Health Day by calling for action on diabetes. This is Carol aged 10, suffering the effects of undiagnosed type 1 diabetes.This blog uses Carol’s own words from the interview she did with me to describe how it was living with diabetes as a child.
The Daily Nation newspaper has today(30th March) published an article I wrote on childhood diabetes.
http://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/DN2/Many-parents-unaware-that-their-children-have-this-condition-/-/957860/3138968/-/tw9w02/-/index.html
Physical inactivity on its own (before obesity sets in) can start the changes in your body that lead to diabetes. The walking nation needs to start walking again.
Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to diabetes. How does this happen and what levels of alcohol are unhealthy for you?
It is estimated that about 20 million Africans are diabetic. This week we look at the greatest risk factor for diabetes type 2 – fat in our belly region. How thick should our waists not be and what is that fat doing to us.
How much of a problem is diabetes in Africa? I was surprised to learn that its huge, with about 5 % of 20 to 79 year olds on the continent suffering from it.
Over half the people suffering from diabetes have no idea they have the disease. It’s only when they start to suffer serious clinical illness that many people discover that they are diabetic. However, this simple questionnaire from Merck pharmaceuticals followed by a test will help screen out those at increased risk and help you do something about it early.