Diabetes day seeks more awareness
Today is World Diabetes Day…and if you think that it’s just another useless notation on an already crowded calendar, you may want to think again. As news 5’s Jacqueline Woods discovered, the disease is killing and disabling Belizeans in record numbers.
Ivy Davis, Diabetic
“The sugar lets me feel weak, you know. Let the whole body feel weak, like I no have no energy to work. And since I have the pills and drink the medicine I feel much better.”
Glenda Lanza, Diabetic
“Well, I start to feel weak and like my eyes start to get blurred and my throat get dry and I urinate every minute.”
Other symptoms include weight loss and dizziness. It’s not certain just how many Belizeans have diabetes, but since 1997, a total of two hundred and forty-four persons have died as a result of the disease. But diabetes does not have to be fatal. While the condition cannot be cured, it only becomes life threatening if it is not controlled.
Glenda Lanza
“Well, my advice to them is that they try take their treatment, if they visit the doctor or if not they take their herbs and things like that and keep their diet, eat a lots of vegetables and different things greens and so.”
Two years ago, fifty year old Glenda Lanza and sixty-seven year old Ivy Davis were diagnosed with type two diabetes. Both women say it has been a challenge trying to control the disease, but are doing what they can to stay well.
Jacqueline Woods
“What has it been like over the past two years? Are you struggling with the condition or do you have under the control?”
Glenda Lanza
“Well, I have it under control, plenty. Sometimes it gets a little bit high, but I bring it down and I visit the doctor.”
Ivy Davis
“Well, I cope alright. I no feel no way. I feel alright because I walk every morning, do my work as usual, exercise and sometimes do a little washing that’s all I do and eat my vegetables.”<
Lanza and Davis were just two of a number of persons who took advantage of the many activities held at a health fair to commemorate World Diabetes Day.
Beth McBride, President, Belize Diabetes Association
“Today, we are doing blood testing, eye checks. There are several doctors here, this afternoon, plus B.C.V.I. is here. We’re showing videos, we have lots of information, we are doing fitness activities, food competition with the local hotels and restaurants, and we are having a healthy food and snack bar.”
Diabetes is the nation’s leading cause of blindness and visual impairment. In Belize, the Pan American Health Organization reports that ninety percent of those persons who have lost their vision, diabetes was to blame.
Beth McBride
“The focus this year is on diabetes and the eyes, “Don’t Lose Sight of the Risks”. Every year, the idea is to pick a topic on diabetes to call attention on complications and the costs of diabetes.”
If you suspect you have diabetes you are advised to visit your physician. Remember if left untreated, diabetes can cause serious long term complications. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
In the food competition, Neri’s Restaurant won the prize for the best non-traditional meal, while Big Daddy’s took top honours in the traditional category. Both received plaques from the Belize Diabetes Association.
