The world has never been this heavy and as our waist lines continue to expand so have the number of people with diabetes especially the Type 2 variant, which is associated with our lifestyle. It is time to focus on “waist management” to combat this menace that causes pain, suffering and financial challenges not only to those who have the disease but in addition to their families, work, countries and the world by extension.
7th April is World Health Day and this year the focus is to BEAT DIABETES!! This is possible but requires effort and commitment at all levels. Appropriate knowledge about this disease will also go a long way to make this achievable. Let us HALT THIS MENACE!!
STATISTICS THAT TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY
1. 422 million people (in 1980 there were 314 million) worldwide have diabetes. This number is likely to more than double in the next 20 years.
a. 8.5% of adults worldwide has diabetes
2. 1.5 million people died as a result of diabetes in 2012
a. 2.2 million additional deaths were caused by higher than optimal blood glucose
b. 43% of this 3.7 million people died before their 70th birthday.
c. Diabetes is the 8th highest killer in the world
3. In the 1980s most people with diabetes were found in affluent countries now low and middle income countries are faced with the highest rates.
We should not assume that diabetes will announce its presence to us boldly. Like many other lifestyle diseases it is a SILENT KILLER and also starts slowly. Most people will only be aware when it has caused irreversible damage. CHECK FOR DIABETES NOW!
TEN STEPS TO TRACK & MANAGE DIABETES
These points may help you ward off the disease but in addition will serve as guidelines to prevent early complications when you already have the disease.
1. Check your blood sugar
2. Check and control your blood pressure
3. Check and keep your cholesterol at bay
4. Protect your eyes by checking at least once a year
5. Protect your kidneys (blood and urine tests)
6. Take care of your feet
7. Control your waistline (weight)
8. Exercise appropriately and regularly
9. Eat right
10. See an informed health professional regularly
Join the fight to BEAT DIABETES by adopting the right lifestyle, following the ten steps and sharing the information.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Moms’ Health Club/Health Essentials Ltd
(www.healthclubsgh.com)
Dr. Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy and fitness nutrition.
Thought for the week – The WHO says “the world is facing an unrelenting march of diabetes which now affects nearly one in 11 adults.”
References:
1. WHO WEBSITE
2. BBC News on Health
3. Patient Education Centre, Harvard Medical School
Source: GhanaWeb
