Diabetes Awareness

TUESDAY’S HEALTH ED

Every November all over the world be bring awareness to Diabetes. The American Diabetes Association in 2020 reported a whopping 29.1 million Americans with diabetes. This undoubtedly can be recognized as the world’s fastest growing chronic condition.

The International Diabetes Foundation reported that the Bahamas has almost 35,000 cases of people living with diabetes, which does not include those who are pre-diabetic. Dr. Adrian Sawyer, Bahamian Nephrologist stated in an interview on March 15th , 2019, stated that this was primarily due to the overweight population. Dr. Sawyer stated that, “the second reason is high blood pressure. High blood pressure is common in this population. About two out of every four to five adults have high blood pressure. So those are the high-risk groups and that’s why we have high rates of kidney failure.”

If one wishes to prevent chronic kidney diseases, Dr. Sawyer advises that one should:

• Control their blood sugar if they have diabetes.

• Keep a healthy blood pressure.

• Follow a low-salt, low-fat diet.

• Exercise at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.

• Keep a healthy weight.

• Do not smoke or use tobacco.

• Limit alcohol.

Let us now more than ever do our part to avoid strokes, heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage and many more by paying attention to our health. Yes, you may be predisposed to diabetes, but you don’t necessarily have to get the disease. Make those doctors’ appointments and don’t live in denial. The more you know, the more you can manage. Make those lifestyle changes.

Let’s live healthier TOGETHER.