Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Charlotte Nambadja
Published on 2024-04-03 10:00:00
Laina Ankonga, a 27-year-old resident of Windhoek’s Freedom Land area, has been battling diabetes for over a decade. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2013, she is the fourth member in her family to be identified with the condition. The journey with diabetes has been challenging for Ankonga, with strict dietary requirements being one of the major hurdles she faces.
Struggling to maintain ideal blood sugar levels, Ankonga emphasizes the difficulty of adhering to a strict diet and the consequences of not doing so. She mentions experiencing symptoms such as regular aggression that comes with the condition, making it challenging to manage her temper at times. Additionally, the financial burden of affording the necessary food for her diet is another obstacle she faces. This often leads her back to the hospital due to dietary breaks caused by eating what is available rather than what she should be consuming.
Despite moments of weakness and a lack of support, Ankonga remains committed to managing her condition by visiting the doctor twice a month and injecting herself five times a day as part of her medication routine. She stresses the importance of taking care of one’s health and leading a healthy lifestyle, especially for diabetic patients, to prevent further complications.
Ankonga warns against the serious complications associated with diabetes, such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, limb amputation, kidney, and nervous system disorders. She urges people to abstain from alcohol and be aware of symptoms such as constant thirst, hunger, weight loss, skin lesions, and numbness or tingling in the hands.
Recounting an incident where she passed out during the night and woke up in the hospital the next day, Ankonga highlights the negative impact diabetes had on her school career. Constant hospital admissions caused delays in catching up with her studies. Despite her struggles, Ankonga’s cousin, Dortea Hamukoto, describes her as resilient but going through hardship due to financial instability, exacerbated by her unemployment.
Explaining diabetes, the Mayo Clinic defines it as a group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood sugar (glucose), a vital energy source for cells and the brain. The main cause of diabetes varies by type, but all types can result in excess sugar in the blood, leading to serious health complications. Diabetes conditions include type 1 and 2 diabetes, with prediabetes indicating higher-than-normal blood sugar levels without reaching the diabetes threshold.
Symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, presence of ketones in the urine, fatigue, mood changes, blurred vision, slow-healing sores, and increased vulnerability to infections. It is crucial to recognize these symptoms and seek medical attention promptly to manage diabetes effectively and prevent further health complications.
In conclusion, Ankonga’s story sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals living with diabetes and the importance of proper management and support. Her resilience and determination in managing her condition serve as an inspiration for others dealing with similar health challenges. By raising awareness about diabetes and advocating for better healthcare and support systems, individuals like Ankonga can make a positive impact on the lives of people living with this chronic condition.
Read the original article on The Namibian
