LIFESTYLE NEWS - Few people, other than people with diabetes themselves, fully appreciate the psychological burden of living with diabetes type 1 or type 2 and the daily effort required for successfully managing such a serious condition over the long term.

“The alarming statistic that four out of five diabetics worldwide at some point experience ‘diabetic burnout’, struggling to manage their treatment, is very concerning. No one chooses diabetes, yet unless it is properly monitored and controlled, it can lead to immediate and lifelong health risks,” says pharmacist Sameera Kumandan of Medipost Pharmacy.

“Ahead of the holiday season, it is especially important to ensure a continuous supply of your oral or injectable diabetes medication and to keep to your routine to avoid some of the potential dangers and temptations that can easily distract you from keeping your blood glucose levels in the healthy range at this time of year.”

Both very high and very low blood glucose levels can quickly become medical emergencies, she explains. 

“Diabetic ketoacidosis [DKA] happens when blood sugar levels become dangerously high, often caused by missed insulin doses or insufficient insulin in the body, and it may require hospitalisation. On the other hand, very low blood sugar levels, known as hypoglycaemia, can result in seizures, loss of consciousness, or even coma,” she warns.

With a personal touch and a commitment to the highest medication safety standards, Medipost Pharmacy strives to take the hassle out of life with a chronic condition such as diabetes by making prescribed medication as accessible as possible with free delivery and convenient collection points. 

Through a partnership with the Department of Health, the courier pharmacy dispenses and packages chronic medications for public-sector patients across various provinces.

“Sometimes patients are tempted to overcompensate with insulin and other medications when they know they haven’t been adhering to their medication regimen or diet. This can be dangerous unless under a healthcare practitioner’s guidance. It is not recommended at all as it can result in extremely altered glucose levels, causing severe damage to the body,” she warns.

“With any chronic or lifelong illness, we need to understand that maintaining a daily routine is crucial and helps to remove some of the stress of navigating life. With diabetes, disrupted treatment can potentially lead to extreme levels of either hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia, causing damage to the body’s organs, blood vessels and nerves.

“We are here to support our patients to help avoid the long-term repetitive damage that can lead to loss of cognitive function, permanent organ damage, poor wound healing, gangrene due to poor blood circulation, and other chronic conditions associated with diabetes.

“To help prevent irreversible harm to the eyes, kidneys, heart, nerves and vessels, monitoring and controlling blood glucose is essential all year round to avoid the extremes of high or low blood sugar that may even cause diabetic coma and, tragically, can sometimes be fatal,” she warns.

Glucometers, glucose testing strips, lancets, and insulin pumps help track and control blood sugar levels. 

Some glucometers automatically digitally record blood sugar readings. Also available from Medipost Pharmacy are insulin pumps and sensors referred to as CGMs [continuous glucose monitors] to continuously monitor blood glucose levels and administer the correct amount of insulin, without the person having to check their blood sugar and inject themselves.

“We are here to support our patients, so they don’t have to ever feel alone on their diabetes journey. Diabetes is a lifelong illness that does not take a holiday, so if you have diabetes, please continue with your medication, monitoring glucose levels, watch your diet over the festive season and eat treats in moderation, choosing healthier alternatives wherever possible,” Kumandan says.

“If you are travelling, remember to pack enough medication and keep a copy of your prescription and pictures of your medication on your phone in case you either forget or lose your medication. If you’re visiting a destination in South Africa, please let us know your holiday delivery address in advance to keep your treatment smoothly on track.”

Three fundamentals from a pharmacist

Medipost pharmacist Sameera Kumandan says that when people with diabetes are empowered to understand their condition better, this can help make their condition somewhat easier to cope with daily.

Tip 1: “Try to understand your prescribed medication better. Talk to our caring and knowledgeable pharmacy team in any official South African language, as this understanding will help you to optimise when to use your medication and understand how crucial it is to keep ongoing adherence with your treatment plan,” she says.

Tip 2: “Even when you think you have your diabetes under control, monitor your blood glucose levels and keep a record to identify trends and remember to have your regular check-ins with your doctor for physical examinations and the necessary tests to ensure your medication is keeping pace with your condition.”

Tip 3: “A healthy lifestyle is part of your treatment plan, and even though you are on medication to help your body make up for the condition, it is important to understand that what you eat and how much you exercise make a big difference. Avoid alcohol and smoking and find healthy ways to manage your stress.”

Sameera Kumandan, Medipost pharmacist

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