Most South Africans fear contracting the national or rather international epidemic of HIV/AIDS. Many resources, communication and energy are pumped into HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns and how to live with the virus. I am surprised at the lack of education and communication when it comes to the silent killers known as hypertension and diabetes.
I am at risk of having either of these diseases because of my family history. I have seen both hypertension and diabetes killing my loved ones silently. Over the past few years many have died because of these diseases and yet they are not recognized as epidemics.
The most interesting thing about these diseases is that they are reversible through just a change of one’s lifestyle, yet we don’t teach each other about this and in other cases don’t change our lifestyles and eating habits. I speak as a person who is guilty of not changing his eating habits although I have the full knowledge of the risk I have of being a chronic diabetes or hypertension case.
There is much ignorance concerning diabetes in South Africa. In 2006 there were approximately 6,5 million people recorded as being diabetic, but only 8 000 registered with Diabetes South Africa (DSA) for assistance with dealing with the diseases.
People might think they are safe and they won’t have diabetes. Looking at the signs and symptoms of diabetes include unusual thirst, frequent urination, unusual weight loss, extreme fatigue or lack of energy, blurred vision, frequent or recurring infections, cuts and bruises that are slow to heal, boils and itching skin and tingling and numbness in the hands or feet we all at some stage have had these symptoms. The more frequent we have the above symptoms the more we are at risk, but yet we ignore these signs.
We need to be aware of the silent killer. Our ignorance is the cause of our lives being cut short.
This is scary
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