It’s the information age, but never have many of us felt more lost and uncertain – especially when it comes to awareness about ourselves.
An estimated 4,2 million South African adults have diabetes, about half of whom remain undiagnosed, and this is expected to rise to 5,4 million by 2030, according to the International Diabetes Federation.
“The 2021 report on mortality and causes of death by Statistics South Africa, found that diabetes is the second deadliest disease in the country.
“It has killed more people than HIV, hypertension, and other forms of heart disease combined,” reports Health-e News.
When the disease is poorly managed, it can lead to poor quality of life and early death and is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure and lower limb amputation.
It is also linked to depression, according to medical aid scheme, Discovery Health which earlier this month held a seminar together with the South African Depression and Anxiety Depression Group (SADAG), where they released some sobering statistics.
“Studies show that people who have diabetes are two to three times more likely (than people who do not have diabetes), to have a mental health condition,” says Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, Chief Clinical Officer at Discovery Health.
“While those who are closely managed by their primary healthcare provider, show lower rates of mental illness.”
Read more | Grief expert unpacks the snowballing effects of losing a loved one
One of the biggest killers in SA, type 2 diabetes, is what is considered a lifestyle disease.
“If you have type 2 diabetes, the cells in your body don’t use insulin properly. The pancreas may be making insulin but is not making enough insulin to keep your blood glucose level in the normal range,” according to the UK’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
“By 2045, more than 7,4 million South Africans could be diabetic. The condition has been labelled a ‘defining disease of the 21st century’ by the Lancet scientific journal, which warned in June that 1,3 billion people worldwide could be living with diabetes by 2050,” according to the UK Guardian, which reports that in SA, women are most at risk.
Gary Feldman, Executive Head of Healthcare Consulting at employee benefits firm NMG Benefits, lists what you need to know about the early warning signs of this deadly disease:
• The most common type of diabetes is called type 2 diabetes, which occurs in more than 90% of people with diabetes.
• It can develop at any age, but is more common in people older than 40.
• Urbanisation and an unhealthy lifestyle play a major role in the development type 2 diabetes.
• Excess bodyweight is estimated to account for 87% of cases of type 2 diabetes in South Africa.
“Diabetes mellitus (diabetes) is a metabolic disorder with diverse causes. It is characterised by chronic elevated blood sugar or glucose levels,” explains Dr Zaheer Bayat, physician, endocrinologist and chair of the Society for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa (SEMDSA).
“Glucose is an important source of energy for our muscles and tissues, and is the brain’s main source of fuel,” says the head of internal medicine at Helen Joseph Hospital.
“No matter what type of diabetes you have, it can lead to excess sugar in the blood and too much sugar in the blood can lead to serious health problems.”
- SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF TYPE 2 DIABETES
The general symptoms of type 2 diabetes that people need to be aware of, which are caused by rising blood sugar levels include:
- increased thirst
- weight loss
- frequent urination
- increased urination at night
- blurry vision
- extreme fatigue
- sores that don’t heal
“Early detection followed by appropriate treatment can prevent more serious health conditions. Being aware of your health status is critical to avoid increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, eye damage and skin conditions, to mention a few. In most instances, changes in lifestyle and diet habits can significantly reduce this risk,” Gary says.
If you have type 2 diabetes, self-care is very important in treating the disease.
- UNDERSTANDING DEPRESSION
“Depression is the primary driver of mental illness, and young adults, adolescents and children are particularly vulnerable. It is most often diagnosed in women because they are more likely to screen and reach out for help. Undiagnosed and untreated, depression is the leading cause of suicide in South Africa and globally. In fact, in South Africa men are four times more likely to die because of suicide than women,” says Cassey Chambers, Operations Director at the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG).
One in three people in South Africa experiences a mental health issue, yet only one in 10 people who require mental health support access any form of treatment, she adds. “It’s estimated that poor mental health costs South Africa in the region of R 161 billion a year.
“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we [SADAG] received around 600 calls per day to our free national helpline. Three years post the pandemic, we receive 3000 calls per day and hundreds of people also reach out to us via SMS, email or social media, and this increase is a proxy for the state of people’s mental health in South Africa. Contributors to depression include everything from day-to-day stressors to trauma, loss, abuse, gender-based violence, the effects of crime, divorce and separation, financial stressors and more.”
Read more | At 14 he became a certified commercial farmer – Thabo Dithakgwe on continuing his grandpa’s legacy
- RISE IN SUICIDES
Discovery Life data also shows that in 2022 the business experienced suicide claims that were 13% higher than they were for the 2019 to 2021 period and 24% higher than for the 2016 to 2018 period.
Women are 1,8 times more likely than men to claim through the Income Continuation Benefit for mental health related reasons. However, life cover claims related to suicide are 2.2 times more likely to be for men than women.
Dr Nematswerani at Discovery Health also shares that among Discovery Health Medical Scheme members, mental health conditions have increased in prevalence from 11,3% in 2018 to 13,5% in 2022.
Depression is the condition affecting the majority, with 60% of members diagnosed with a mental health condition (mostly young adult female members).
The prevalence of depression has increased from 6,3% in 2018 to 8,1% in 2022 and has also steadily increased over the years preceding this period. Depression also accounts for 57% of direct Scheme spend on mental health services.
