Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that occurs when the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar (glucose) levels, allowing glucose to enter cells to be used as energy. Without proper insulin function, glucose builds up in the blood, leading to high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), which can cause various health problems over time.
There are three main types of diabetes:
Type 1: an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Type 2: the most common form of diabetes, occurring when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood glucose levels.
Gestational Diabetes: a temporary form that occurs during pregnancy when the body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the extra needs of pregnancy.
Symptoms of diabetes:
❥ Frequent urination (polyuria)
❥ Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
❥ Unexplained weight loss
❥ Extreme hunger
❥ Fatigue
❥ Blurred vision
❥ Slow healing of wounds or infections
Tingling or numbness in hands or feet (in type 2 diabetes)
Growing problem of Diabetes in Kenya
With increased urbanization, many Kenyans have adopted more sedentary lifestyles and diets high in processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats. This, combined with a decrease in physical activity, has contributed to the rising rates of people with diabetes.
The situation becomes worse because of the limited access to healthcare services. The availability of insulin and other diabetes medications can be inconsistent, and specialized care, such as for diabetes complications, is often limited to urban centers.
Awareness about diabetes remains low. Many people do not recognize the symptoms of the disease, and diagnosis often occurs only after complications develop. Late diagnosis contributes to mortality, with many patients already suffering from complications like kidney failure, heart disease, or blindness by the time they seek treatment.
Kenya’s Ministry of Health has recognized the rising burden of diabetes and other NCDs and has included diabetes care in its national health strategies. However, the implementation of these strategies is uneven, particularly outside major cities. The growing epidemic in Kenya requires coordinated efforts between the government, healthcare providers, and the community to prevent, manage, and treat the disease more effectively.
Management and treatment of Diabetes
Medications: first and the most important part of the treatment of diabetes is, of course, consultation with the doctor who will prescribe the appropriate medications.
Diet: a balanced, healthy diet that controls sugar intake and regulates carbohydrates.
Exercise: physical activity that helps improve insulin sensitivity and manage weight.
Monitoring: regularly checking blood sugar levels using a glucose meter or continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM).
Education and support: in medicine, raising awareness is extremely important. Please share the information you know with your family and friends!
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar (glucose) levels, allowing glucose to enter cells to be used as energy. Without proper insulin function, glucose builds up in the blood, leading to high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), which can cause various health problems over time.
There are three main types of diabetes:
Type 1: an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Type 2: the most common form of diabetes, occurring when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood glucose levels.
Gestational Diabetes: a temporary form that occurs during pregnancy when the body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the extra needs of pregnancy.
Symptoms of diabetes:
❥ Frequent urination (polyuria)
❥ Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
❥ Unexplained weight loss
❥ Extreme hunger
❥ Fatigue
❥ Blurred vision
❥ Slow healing of wounds or infections
Tingling or numbness in hands or feet (in type 2 diabetes)
Growing problem of Diabetes in Kenya
With increased urbanization, many Kenyans have adopted more sedentary lifestyles and diets high in processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats. This, combined with a decrease in physical activity, has contributed to the rising rates of people with diabetes.
The situation becomes worse because of the limited access to healthcare services. The availability of insulin and other diabetes medications can be inconsistent, and specialized care, such as for diabetes complications, is often limited to urban centers.
Awareness about diabetes remains low. Many people do not recognize the symptoms of the disease, and diagnosis often occurs only after complications develop. Late diagnosis contributes to mortality, with many patients already suffering from complications like kidney failure, heart disease, or blindness by the time they seek treatment.
Kenya’s Ministry of Health has recognized the rising burden of diabetes and other NCDs and has included diabetes care in its national health strategies. However, the implementation of these strategies is uneven, particularly outside major cities. The growing epidemic in Kenya requires coordinated efforts between the government, healthcare providers, and the community to prevent, manage, and treat the disease more effectively.
Management and treatment of Diabetes
Medications: first and the most important part of the treatment of diabetes is, of course, consultation with the doctor who will prescribe the appropriate medications.
Diet: a balanced, healthy diet that controls sugar intake and regulates carbohydrates.
Exercise: physical activity that helps improve insulin sensitivity and manage weight.
Monitoring: regularly checking blood sugar levels using a glucose meter or continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM).
Education and support: in medicine, raising awareness is extremely important. Please share the information you know with your family and friends!