World Diabetes Day: 14 November

Diabetes is one of the diseases that is listed as a comorbidity for Covid-19. In other words, if you are a diabetic, your risk of serious infection is higher than that of someone without diabetes.

The 14^th of November is the day that 160 countries around the world encourage awareness about diabetes – its causes, symptoms, and how to prevent getting it. As diabetes can be a result of an unhealthy lifestyle, the day is used to promote healthy eating and living. This day was also the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who discovered insulin in 1922.

Diabetes is a condition that affects the way your body processes or produces insulin (blood sugar). If untreated, it can lead to serious complications such as blindness, kidney damage, heart disease, and even death. While Type 1 Diabetes is genetic, Type 2 is a lifestyle disease, which means that it can be prevented.

You can lessen your risk of diabetes by making a few small lifestyle changes:

• Healthy meals (a diet low in saturated fat, salt, sugars and refined carbohydrates)
• Physical exercise (45 minutes of exercise per day, five days a week)
• Reducing weight by as little as 5-10 percent
• Quitting smoking
• Reducing the amount of alcohol you drink

The following warning signs could mean that you are at risk for diabetes:

• Constant hunger/thirst
• Need to urinate more often than normal
• Unexplained weight gain
• Flu-like symptoms, including weaknessand tiredness
• Blurred vision
• Slow healingof cuts or bruises
• Tinglingor loss of feeling in hands or feet
• Gum or skin infections
• Vaginal or bladder infections

If you already suffer from diabetes, you can improve your quality of life by following these simple guidelines:

• Balanced meals: not too many carbohydrates, small portions on a regular basis
• Exercise (remember to drink lots of water)
• Checking your blood sugar and blood pressure regularly and responding to changes correctly
• Storing and taking your medication as prescribed, and coordinating it with meals
• Reducing risks such as damage to feet (e.g. wear sensible shoes)
• Reducing intake of alcohol and sugary soft drinks
• Managing stress

Although it can’t be cured, diabetes can be managed. So don’t despair! You can live a healthy, normal, full life by making just these few small adjustments.

The information in this communication is for information purposes and is not intended to be detailed advice described in the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act. The fund, administrator and trustees cannot be held liable for damage or loss suffered as a result of any action that you take based on the contents of this communication.