The pin-like prick developed to a red, angry-looking wound over the next few weeks, refusing to heal despite the many kinds of medicine he took and applied on the wound. Consulting a doctor at last, Dino learned why his wound would not heal — he was diagnosed with diabetes. A series of treatments, long list of do’s and don’ts in food and recommendations of a lifestyle change later, Dino’s wound eventually healed but it took longer than normal. At his age he is now very careful with his diet and maintains regular exercise because he and his family have something that millions of others are suffering from in the world — diabetes.
When your body is unable to regulate the levels of sugar in your blood, this will result in high blood glucose or sugar levels and diabetes occurs. Don’t put this article down yet, because one third of the population in the CNMI has above normal levels of glucose in their blood and the chances that you could be one of those who have diabetes is not slim.
Last year, a total of 949 patients at the Commonwealth Health Center, including 141 new cases were diagnosed with diabetes.
If a third of the population has a blood sugar level which is above normal, this figure only shows that there are a lot more people out there who are either putting off a visit to the doctor, scared to consult a doctor, or is not aware that they have diabetes.
Eye doctors on the island are also alarmed at the high numbers of diabetic patients that come in for vision correction and treatment, and are more concerned at the higher number of patients who are still out there unaware of the dangers they face.
Last week, Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos signed a proclamation declaring November as Diabetes Prevention and Awareness Month, and Nov. 14 is World Diabetes Day.
Diabetes has been dubbed as one of the most challenging non-communicable diseases the CNMI faces, and the population of the commonwealth has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the Micronesian region.
Diabetes is not merely an eight-letter word but it is a chronic illness that carry risk factors leading to more complications including kidney failure, blindness, amputations, and is also a major contributor to heart attacks, strokes, cancer and hypertension.
With the big number of reported diabetes patients and the bigger number of unreported patients, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. and other concerned agencies see a “pressing need to continue to step up the efforts to raise awareness and implement more preventative programs for this chronic and non-communicable disease here in the CNMI.” The disease that been contributing hugely to the local healthcare costs and expensive off-island medical referrals each year.
The Western Pacific Region, the Micronesian Chief Executives and the Pacific Islands Health Officers Associations declares an emergency for an epidemic of all non-communicable diseases, of which diabetes is a major disease in the Pacific region.
The different stakeholders in the health department see the need for people in the CNMI “to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle, including making healthier food choices, using locally grown produce and livestock, and exercising daily.”
Inos, after signing the proclamation, urged all citizens to put their health first throughout their lives and embrace a simpler and healthier lifestyle.
“I also call upon the CNMI’s private institutions to aid in the prevention of diabetes by promoting and making healthy goods and services accessible and affordable to all citizens,” Inos said.
Diabetes Symptom Checker
How do you know if you have diabetes? The www.diabetes.org website posts some symptoms to watch out for. These include:
• Bruises or sores which heal very slow
• Frequent urination
• Frequent drinking
• Getting hungry very extremely
• Itchy and dry skin
• Weight lose
• Blurry vision
• Tiring quickly
• Unusual drowsiness
• Numbness of hand and feet
• Skin infections, even on gums and bladder, and vaginal yeast
If you or a family member suffers from one or more of these symptoms, consult a physician immediately so that you will get prompt treatment and prevent further complications.
Who are at risk for diabetes?
Individuals who are at greater risk for diabetes are those who are over 45 years old, overweight, people who don’t get daily exercise, have parents or siblings that have diabetes, those who have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds, those who had gestational diabetes when they were still pregnant, those who belong to any of the following: Hispanic American/Latino, African American, Pacific Islander, Native and Asian American
Diabetes is a serious disease that causes more deaths per year than AIDS and breast cancer combined. Diabetes is not contagious like the flu or cold but you should see your doctor and consult about a special diet for your conditions.
The good news is you can prevent diabetes by living a healthy and active life.
For more information, call the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program at 664-4030.
