Fireworks for diabetes

On World Diabetes Day fireworks will light up Nelson Mandela Bridge. It is the first in a series of events highlighting the chronic illness.
NELSON Mandela Bridge in Braamfontein will be lit up by fireworks on World Diabetes Day, an annual observance.

MMC Nonceba MolweleMMC Nonceba Molwele encourages people to live a healthy lifestyleThe event, to be hosted by the City in partnership with Diabetes South Africa, will start at 6pm and run until 7pm on Monday, 14 November.

Nonceaba Molwele, the member of the mayoral committee for health and human development; the first lady, Bongiwe Ngema-Zuma; and City officials will spend the hour at the top of the Skyline Gardens building in Braamfontein, which overlooks the bridge. They will get a bird’s eye view of the fireworks.

It is the first in a series of events that will be taking place in November to raise awareness of diabetes.

The five-year theme of World Diabetes Day is “Diabetes education and prevention”. This theme was selected by the World Health Organization and the International Diabetes Federation. It started in 2009 and will be carried through to 2013.

Joburg’s department of health will also be running education programmes on diabetes, screenings for diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, weight checks and eye screenings in all seven regions.

“We want to create an awareness of healthy living through educating the city’s residents on the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle,” said Molwele.

Representatives from non-governmental organisations, health organisations, government officials and academics will attend the fireworks display.

World Diabetes Day is held on the 14 November each year, which is the birthday of Frederick Banting, a medical doctor who was instrumental in the discovery of insulin in 1922. Insulin is a life-saving treatment for diabetes patients.

Diabetes
Diabetes is chronic condition that arises when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that enables cells to take in glucose from the blood and use it for energy.

Diabetes can be treatedThe City will run education programmes on blood pressureThere are two types of the illness: type one diabetes is an autoimmune disease characterised by the destruction of the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. People with type one diabetes produce very little or no insulin and must take insulin by injection or pump to survive. It is commonly diagnosed in young adults.

Type two diabetes is marked by insulin resistance. People with type two diabetes cannot use the insulin that they produce effectively. They can often manage their condition through exercise and diet. However, in many cases oral drugs are needed and often insulin is required.

Symptoms of the disease include constant thirst, weight loss, frequent urination, blurred vision, slow to heal cuts, tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, and recurring skin, mouth and bladder infections.

People with diabetes should avoid eating food with a high sugar or fat content such as cake, chocolate, chips and sweets. For more information, contact Diabetes South Africa on 011 792 9888, or visit your nearest clinic.