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Early diabetes diagnosis can prevent death, says doctor

Wednesday, April 21st, 2021 00:00 | By
Diabetes prevalence in Kenya to rise by 2025, UN report says.

Kenyans have been advised to go for screening for diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. 

Carol Adhiambo, a doctor at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), said many people are diagnosed with diabetes after visiting a health facility for a different reason.

Adhiambo says it is important for people to go for early screening for diabetes so that they can be put on proper medication before the condition becomes chronic.

Diabetes, she said, is a condition that if well managed, a patient can have a relatively healthy and productive life.

She explained that the condition is caused by the body’s inability to produce insulin, which serves the function of releasing sugar to the cells in order to create energy.

No insulin

The inability of sugar to penetrate the cell leads to sugar accumulation in the blood, which causes diabetes.

“Normal sugar levels should be between 4-6 millimoles per litre (mmol/L), but when it gets to between 8-11mmol/L, one is considered to be close to being diabetic,” she noted.

She explained that in Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin and the symptoms include frequent thirst and urination, hunger, fatigue and blurred vision.

It is linked to family history thus one whose parent or a family member has had it has a high chance of developing the condition.

“We always advise people to come for regular screening as early diagnosis can help one avoid medical complications,” Odhiambo said. 

With type 2 diabetes, Adhiambo said, the body produces insulin but the cells cannot take in the sugar because the cell receptors are not active. — KNA

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