Diabetes is a condition that happens when your blood sugar (glucose) is too high.

It develops when your pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or any at all, or when your body isn’t using it properly, glucose builds up in your bloodstream, causing high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia).

Over time, having consistently high blood glucose can cause health problems, such as heart disease, nerve damage and eye issues.

Diabetes affects people of all ages.

Most forms of diabetes are chronic (lifelong), and all forms are manageable with medications and/or lifestyle changes.

Glucose (sugar) mainly comes from carbohydrates in your food and drinks.

Your blood carries glucose to all your body’s cells to use for energy.

Types of diabetes

There are several types but the commonest are:

1.   Type 2 diabetes: With this type, your body doesn’t make enough insulin and/or your body’s cells don’t respond normally to the insulin (insulin resistance). This is the most common type of diabetes. It mainly affects adults, but children can have it as well.
2. Type 1 diabetes: This type is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in your pancreas for unknown reasons. Up to 10% of people who have diabetes have Type 1. It’s usually diagnosed in children and young adults, but it can develop at any age.
3. Gestational diabetes: This type develops in some people during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy. However, if you have gestational diabetes, you’re at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

How common is diabetes in Uganda?

A study done in 2012 found that for every 100 people, 4 people are diabetics but this number must have raised since then to-date.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

1. Increased thirst (polydipsia) and dry mouth.

2. Frequent urination.
3. Fatigue.
4. Blurred vision.
5. Unexplained weight loss.
6. Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.
7. Slow-healing sores or cuts.
8. Frequent skin and/or vaginal yeast/candida infections.

It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider if you or your child has these symptoms.

How can I prevent diabetes?

You can’t prevent autoimmune and genetic forms of diabetes.

But there are some steps you can take to lower your risk for developing prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes, including:

1. Eat a healthy diet.

2. Get physically active. Aim for 30 minutes a day at least five days a week.
3. Work to achieve a weight that’s healthy for you.
4. Manage your stress.
5. Limit alcohol intake.
6. Get adequate sleep (typically 7 to 9 hours depending on your age) and seek treatment for sleep disorders.
7. Quit smoking.
8. Take medications as directed by your healthcare provider to manage existing risk factors for heart disease.