It was a busy Saturday morning at work but when I saw missed calls from my parents and uncle, I knew I had to return the call immediately.

Called my mum...
Me: Mummy howfar?

Mum: Call your aunty ooo, she was just rushed to the hospital.

#odogwutales
#Diabetes
#Sugar

Called my uncle who was with her, spoke to the attending doctor then she asked to speak with me.

Me: Big aunty how are you?

She sensed the worry in my voice and replied "Nna don't worry, nothing will happen to me"

And that was the last I heard from her as she died a day later

She died of "Complications Of Diabetes", so this is a topic I don't joke with because it took someone very close to my heart away from me.

It's barely a week she died and the pain is still fresh but God knows the best.

Let's Talk "DIABETES FACTS AND MYTHS"
#DiabetesAndSugar

1• MYTH
Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.

• FACT
Diabetes is when the body is unable to control sugar level in the blood due to low levels of insulin or resistance.

Insulin is a hormone that controls glucose/sugar levels.

Eating sugar alone doesn't cause diabetes.

2• MYTH
Diabetes can be cured.

• FACTS
Diabetes is a chronic disease with no cure but it can be managed to prevent complications.

3• MYTH
Diabetes isn't a big deal.

• FACT
If controlled, yes but if not, it's a big deal.

Diabetes causes over 4million deaths each year.

4• MYTH
Patients on insulin have more serious diabetes than those on tablets.

• FACT
There are 2 types of diabetes

1. Type 1 diabetes, Insulin is not produced at all, so would need an injection.

2. Type 2 Diabetes, Insulin is produced but not enough, so tablets help.

5• MYTH
People that have diabetics should avoid carbohydrates.

• FACT
Carbohydrates when broken down by the body turns to sugar which raises the sugar level but your body still needs carbohydrates which is present in so many food.

Eat in moderation and see a dietician.

6. MYTH
Once you're diabetic, you're hypertensive.

• FACTS
Not always true but if there are two diseases that go diseases go hand in hand, it's diabetes and hypertension.

It's advised for diabetics to always check their blood pressure and hypertensives, their sugar levels.

7. MYTH
Amputation is inevitable for diabetics.

• FACT
When poorly controlled, diabetes can lead to so many complications such as foot ulcers, blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, etc.

But when controlled properly with diet and drugs, these complications are avoided.

Diabetes can affect anyone but some people are more at risk and knowing/avoiding certain lifestyles that lead to diabetes is advised.

Risk factors Of Diabetes
- Overweight
- Having parents that have diabetes
- Inactive lifestyle
- Unhealthy eating
- Smoking
- Age

Common Symptoms Of Diabetes

- Weightloss
- Drinking too much water from thirst
- Urinating too much
- Always tired/weak
- Increased appetite despite eating so much.

I've seen patients' sugar levels drop from 400+mg/dl to 80-90mg/dl under my care and largely to the patient's ability to consistently take their drugs.

Take your drugs and you would be perfectly ok, meet a dietician to help you with food choices.

Blood Sugar Chart

I dedicate this thread to the loving memory of my darling aunty who lived such a godly life here on earth.

One person I know doesn't joke with her Christianity and lived a life that was so transparent for all to see.

That's What Matters The Most!

May her soul continue to R.I.P