World Diabetes Day activities announced

By ANGELO ARMBRISTER

Freeport News Reporter

angelo@nasguard.com

Diabetes Awareness Month is celebrated globally in November serving as a reminder of the seriousness of diabetes and this year the focus is on the foot.

The theme for this year's World Diabetes Day, which is observed on November 14, is "Put Feet First: Prevent Amputations."

Speaking with the Freeport News recently, President of the Grand Bahama Diabetic Associ-ation Elon "Sonny" Martin shared activities planed for the month.

Mr. Martin said that on Saturday, November 12, 2005 there will be blood screening stations set up at every major shopping centre in Grand Bahama.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. nurses from the Rand Memorial Hospital will be performing blood checks at all the major food stores on the island.

"Everyone should go out and get your blood tested because you may be diabetic and don't know it," Mr. Martin said. "If you get tested, the nurse can tell you if you are okay or a borderline diabetic."

He added that on Monday, November 14, or World Diabetes Day, there will be an educational seminar in the foyer of the Rand Memorial Hospital informing people about the symptoms of diabetes and how to care for someone with the disease.

Mr. Martin said he wants to encourage all persons, whether you're diabetic or not, to attend.

"Diabetes is a serious thing and like heart attacks it is a silent killer and I think you should always be cognizant of the fact that you can have it and don't really know," he said.

In addition to being at increased risk for amputations, diabetes sufferers also face other serious risks, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, nerve damage and blindness.

Diabetes, either juvenile or type 2, is an epidemic with about over 150 million people suffering globally. Even more alarming is that one-third of the people with diabetes are unaware that they have the condition.

Martin noted that eating right, getting sufficient rest and exercise are things a person with diabetes should pay attention to.

He explained that the wrong diet, eating and drinking a lot of sweets can contribute in sending your blood sugar level to such a height that you become comatose.

Reflecting on his father, Mr. Martin said his dad was a diabetic that lived to be 72 because of a healthy life style. "So the life span of someone with diabetes can be very long and healthy providing you take care of yourself," he said.

In most cases, Type 2 diabetes can be prevented through physical activity, healthy eating and healthy weight loss. Healthy living can also prevent and reduce complications for individuals with diabetes.

ELON "SONNY" MARTIN

© 2005 The Freeport News