Few diseases command the “respect” that diabetes does, even atheists break into uncontrollable “tongues” once you diagnose them with this disease or merely suggest that they may have the condition. Unfortunately many of us out of fear of the unknown, lack of knowledge or purely for financial reasons never test for diabetes until we are saddled with complications.

The world has never been this heavy and sedentary, as our waist lines continue to expand so has 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 their families, work, countries and the world by extension. This is definitely not the time to court additional financial burden; if we have diabetes let us manage it effectively and if we don’t we should work hard to prevent or delay its onset.

TELL-TALE SIGNS of DIABETES

The majority (90 per cent-95 per cent) of people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes and this starts slowly and we may often ignore the warning signs.

If we can test for COVID-19 for FREE and vaccinate for FREE, I dare say we owe it a duty to test every person over the age of 18 years for diabetes. Let us not wait. We have to stop the march towards 700 million people.

Be wary of these and see your healthcare professional immediately:

• Increased appetite or unexplained weight loss
• Slow-healing cuts
• Frequent yeast infections (including “whites”)
• Pain or numbness in extremities
• Vision changes
• Fruity or sweet-smelling breath
• Fatigue or weakness
• Dry mouth or dry skin
• Extreme thirst
• Frequent urination
• No Symptoms (absolute silence! Always remember that not all silence is golden and just like high blood pressure you may have diabetes and feel or show absolutely nothing. TEST)

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 and manage Stress.
9. Eat right
10. See an informed health professional regularly

AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, 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

Health Essentials Ltd/Mobissel

(www.healthessentialsgh.com)

*Dr. Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling the Essentials of Health & Wealth.’

Thought for the week –“There is an URGENT need to SCREEN, DIAGNOSE and provide appropriate TREATMENT to people with diabetes.”

This November help to fight diabetes. If you do not know what to do, contact your nearest health facility or send an email to info@healthessentialsgh.com

World Diabetes Day is 14^th November.

References:

1. “Unravelling the Essentials of Health and Wealth” – Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel

By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel