Ghanahospitals.org, the hub of information on health related issues, this week took a swift look at the disease Diabetes. And our quest to find out more on the disease took us to Consulting Room 1 of The Community Hospital at Ashongman Estate in the Ga East Municipality to have Dr. Mrs. Amidah Rahmen’s take on this deadly disease.
The discussion was aimed at exposing the misery behind the disease and other information that may be useful to the general public.
Read the full discussion between Emmanuel Frimpong and Dr. Amidah Rahmen.
Emmanuel: Good Afternoon Doctor
Dr. Rahmen: Good Afternoon?
Emmanuel: Dr. Ghanahospital.org, has come to your door-step today to find out more about diabetes and some preventive steps to take in order for one to rid him/herself from getting the sickness.
Emmanuel: First and foremost, tell us, what is the sickness diabetes all about?
Dr. Rahmen: Diabetes is a disease of the pancreas, an organ behind your stomach that produces the hormone insulin. Insulin helps the body use food for energy. When a person has diabetes, the pancreas either cannot produce enough insulin, uses the insulin incorrectly or both. If the insulin isn’t functioning properly glucose cannot enter the cells. This causes glucose levels in the blood in the blood to rise, creating a condition of high blood sugar or diabetes, leaving the cells without fuel.
Emmanuel: Can you also tell us some of the possible causes or agents of diabetes
Dr. Rahmen: Science has not yet found the cause of diabetes but there are factors which may increase one’s chance of getting diabetes.
Emmanuel: who is at risk?
Dr. Rahmen:
- family history of diabetes
- African-american, Hispanic, Asian, Americans
- Being overweight
- Age
- Alcohol
- Abnormal cholesterol level
- Physical stress (Surgery or illness)
- Injury to the pancreas (Infection, tumor)
- Autoimmune Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- Pregnancy
Emmanuel: What are some of the signs and symptoms of diabetes
Dr. Rahmen:
- Increased water consumption
- Increased frequency urination
Emmanuel: Can you explain to us the difference between type 1 & 2 diabetes and how they develop
Dr. Rahmen: TYPE 1 DIABETES: In type one diabetes, the immune system produces antibodies against the islet cells of the pancreas which are responsible for insulin production. Thus islet cells are destroyed leading to lack of insulin production. Some conditions like mumps or some environmental toxins may trigger this immune response. Type 1 usually occurs in children but can occur in adults in late 30s or early 40s. people with type 1 are not obese but with type 2 are obese.
TYPE 2 DIABETES
In type 2 diabetes, either the pancreas produces insulin but your body does not use it properly. This is called insulin resistance. Or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level.
Emmnuel: Does ladies with yeast infection at risk of developing diabetes
Dr. Rahmen: No, it is rather ladies with diabetes that are at risk of developing yeast infection. In diabetes the high blood sugar level makes it conducive for the organisms to grow.
Emmanuel: When should one see a doctor?
Dr. Rahmen: One should see a doctor as soon as one experiences the symptoms of diabetes i.e. increase thirst appetite, increased urination etc.
Emmaanuel: thank you very much for your education on the disease and we hope to come to you more for much information on health relation issues.
Dr. Rahmen: Is a pleasure talking to you.
Ghanahospitals.org
