Type 2 Diabetes Reversal in Kenya The Diabetes Reversal Program (DRP) is fast gaining traction in Kenya as more people become aware they can control/reverse type 2 diabetes without relying on drugs. Until recently, the focus of the management of type 2 diabetes has been on medication, with consequent large increases in drug expenditure. However,…
Neuropathy The nervous system can be likened to electrical wiring. Nerves are specialized cells that transmit tiny electrical currents throughout the body. Nerves detect sensations of heat, cold, and pain. If you step on a pin, the automatic response is to get away from pain as soon as possible. Nerves can be damaged by high…
Diabetes and the heart Summary Introduction The major heart vessels (coronary arteries) that supply nutrients and oxygen to heart muscle sometimes get blocked by cholesterol-containing deposits (plaque). This blockage eventually leads to decreased blood flow to heart tissue causing tissue injury (ischemia) and death (infarct). Symptoms of heart disease Risk factors to heart disease Types…
Diabetes-related eye complications Diabetes raises the risk of the following conditions that affect the eyes: Diabetic retinopathy Diabetes damages the small blood vessels of the retina which is a layer at the back of the eye that captures images and transmits them to the brain for processing. When these blood vessels get damaged, they bleed…
Kidney Complications The kidney’s basic function is to filter out waste products from the blood. Diabetes is a state of prolonged elevated blood sugar- known as hyperglycemia. Over time, this hyperglycemia results in damage to tiny blood vessels of the kidney (basic unit- the nephron). When the blood vessels in the kidneys are injured, the…
Gestational Diabetes Pregnancy can be a beautiful experience, a divine opportunity that ushers a woman into motherhood. But at times, it comes with challenges. Developing Gestational diabetes is one of the many risk factors associated with pregnancy. If no interventions are done, this form of diabetes is likely to increase as populations grow annually. Some…
Type 2 Diabetes Worldwide, every minute, three people develop type 2 diabetes. If left unchecked, this disease can lead to serious repercussions such as heart attack, neuropathy, kidney diseases, blindness, among other irreversible conditions and it can be fatal. Globally, more than 450 million people have diabetes. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 90…
Type 1 Diabetes Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition that is life threatening if untreated. Although not as common as Type 2 diabetes and other non-communicable diseases it often leads to long standing complications which can be costly or even fatal. Its burden is passed on to families and communities as many populations are…
The disturbing truth about cholesterol “Cholesterol-free”, “Lowers cholesterol” are just but a few labels on popular oil brands in any Kenyan supermarket which insinuates the need to avoid cholesterol. However, on the contrary, studies have shown that a certain amount of cholesterol is in fact beneficial or does not harm the human body. According to the…