Living well with diabetes
The signs to look for, the tests that confirm it, and the yearly checks that protect your eyes, feet and kidneys.
About one in eight Jamaican adults has diabetes. It means there is too much sugar in the blood, either because the body makes too little insulin or because it no longer responds to it properly. Managed well, most people with diabetes live long and active lives.
Signs to look for
Many people have no symptoms at first, so ask for a blood sugar test if you are over 40, are overweight, have a parent or sibling with diabetes, or had diabetes in pregnancy.
- Being very thirsty and passing urine often, especially at night
- Feeling tired all the time
- Blurred vision
- Cuts and sores that are slow to heal
- Tingling or numbness in the feet
- Losing weight without trying
The tests
A fasting blood sugar of 7.0 mmol/L or higher, or an HbA1c of 6.5 percent or higher, points to diabetes. HbA1c shows your average sugar over the last two to three months, so it’s also the test your doctor uses to see how well treatment is working.
Checks to have every year
- Eyes: a dilated eye examination, because diabetes can damage the retina before you notice any change in vision.
- Feet: look at your own feet every day, and have a doctor or nurse examine them once a year.
- Kidneys: a urine test and a blood test.
- Blood pressure and cholesterol.
- HbA1c: every three to six months.
If your sugar drops too low
Shaking, sweating, sudden hunger, confusion or irritability can mean low blood sugar, most often in people who take insulin or certain tablets. Take something sugary straight away, such as half a cup of fruit juice or three or four glucose tablets, then check again after 15 minutes and eat a snack. If the person can’t swallow or doesn’t respond, get emergency help.
Help with the cost of medicine
Diabetes is one of the long-term conditions covered by the National Health Fund. With an NHF card you pay less for your medicines and testing supplies at participating pharmacies, including Andrews Pharmacy. People aged 60 and over can also register for JADEP.