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Some of you will realize that I am repeating this article. I can assure you it is not because I am running out of topics but rather want to stress once again the utmost importance of making the population aware of the severity of the dangers of diabetes.

Diabetes and The Eye

This is a topic that I really care about.

There is Type 1 and Type 2. That is about what most of us know about diabetes. Diabetes is a metabolic condition where the body is unable to control the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Carbohydrate foods are broken down to produce glucose, causing the blood glucose level (BGL) to rise. Insulin is a hormone in the body produced by the pancreas to help regulate glucose levels and to store glucose for future use. In someone with diabetes, blood sugar is elevated over a long period of time. If diabetes is left uncontrolled it can have severe complications, not only for the general health and all the organs in the body, but also for the vision.

In type 1 diabetes no insulin is produced by the pancreas. The body can still get glucose from food, but it is not in the right cells where it is needed. It is called juvenile or insulin dependent diabetes. In type 2 diabetes the body does not use the insulin properly - called insulin resistant diabetes. It is mostly adult onset and the diet plays a very important role in it.

Risk factors

Being obese or overweight, diabetes in the family, hypertension, cholesterol. Seychelles is well on the way to spiral into a diabetic epidemic. Obesity, when left unchallenged, leads to pre-diabetes or metabolic syndrome. You can control what you eat and how much you exercise.

Nearly all obese people are in denial about their size: 90% don't think they have a weight problem because bigger sizes are becoming the new 'normal'

Don't fool yourselves...

Take control today and have a healthy future!

Signs and symptoms of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes:

Urine output increased (more frequent visits at the toilette), excessive thirst and hunger, tiredness and fatigue, unexpected weight loss, tingling in the hands and feet, skin problems, yeast infections, slow healing wounds and fluctuations in vision.

Vision in diabetic patients needs to be checked regularly, due to the eyes being an organ that can possibly be affected by diabetes. In general, adults and children are advised to have a yearly visual check up. In someone with uncontrolled diabetes it might be advised by your practitioner to have more frequent follow ups.

It is true that the eyes are the window to your soul, as the inside of the eye can reveal a lot about the general health of a patient. Longstanding diabetes can be picked up during a general consultation and ultimately save lives for people unknowingly living with the condition. If diabetes is not picked up and left untreated it can result in severe visual loss or blindness. The back of the eye can also reveal the state of the diabetes and how effective the medication is in controlling the condition. This is one of the reasons why general checkups are necessary to ensure that vision is saved.

It is very important to control diabetes properly. Diabetes elevates the blood glucose level in the blood stream which can damage the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys, fingers feet and eyes.

The eye is the only place in the body where the damage can be seen as the view onto the vessels is unobstructed by any skin.

Ways to prevent diabetes:

Loose excess weight, follow a healthy eating plan (changing your diet is one of the most effective ways of controlling or preventing diabetes), get regular exercise, do not smoke and talk to your health care provider or a dietitian for any additional tips. Controlling the diet is also beneficial for those who do not have diabetes.

Guys, it is high time to take stock of what you put into your precious body every day. It horrifies me to see when people start their day with Samousas, Gato piman and a highly over sugared soft drink.

You are asking for trouble……Please look after yourselves!!

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