OUR COSTLY LIFESTYLE CHOICES

More than 750,000 people in Kenya are living with diabetes as a result of poor lifestyle choices with 50% of Kenyans oblivious of their diabetes status. This is according to Dr. Nancy Ngugi of Kenyatta National hospital.

"The high rate of un-diagnosed diabetes cases is negatively impacting on the health and therefore limiting economic empowerment of thousands of people in Kenya. I call upon everyone one over 40 years to go for a screening of diabetes and blood pressure every year as it is manageable,” said Dr. Ngugi.

Dr. Ngugi added that if diabetic patients observe a balanced diet, maintain a regular body weight, avoid smoking tobacco, exercise regularly by walking short distance instead of opting for vehicles and observing regular checkups one can live for over 60 years.

Speaking during a free medical camp for non-communicable diseases held in Mwatate hospital in Taita Taveta County Governor John Mruttu attributed the increase of diabetes cases to little awareness creation.

"There is need to reach out to patients with information to improve access to proper treatment. As noted the visiting hospitals when complications arise risks the disease badly affecting organs like the heart, blood vessels and kidneys," said Mruttu.

Diabetes is a non-communicable disease which manifests through weight loss or poor weight gain, frequent thirst and a dry mouth, urinating more frequently than normal, frequent itching around the genitals, open wounds that do not heal just to mention but a few.

Doctors say diabetes is as a result of low insulin secretions which leads to low absorption of glucose by body cells.