For most people Christmas is a time for much eating and drinking but for diabetics it is a time - as always - to hold strain, especially on food and alcohol which produce too much glucose in the blood.

Diabetes is a disease characterised by excess sugar in the blood and urine. It causes hunger, thirst and gradual loss or weight gain. It is a chronic disease and a silent killer if you do not know where you stand with it. To cope with diabetes requires the utmost discipline in eating and drinking habits and a lot of exercise. In Jamaica, 17 per cent of the population is diabetic, which is quite high. Four out of 10 of my friends suffer from the disease. There are two main types of diabetes - type one and two.

KEN CHAPLIN

I was diagnosed with type two diabetes in 1993 when I went for a check-up. Dr Lawson Douglas told me that I had diabetes. He said I should see my general medical practitioner right away because it seemed to be a case for hospitalisation. The head of my penis had pimples and the more I rubbed it, the more inflamed it became. In a woman, the pimples occur in the vagina.

Some doctors diagnose this as a sexually transmitted disease. I know of three cases where this happened. But there are other signs. Looking back, I remember how quickly I would became irritable. My vision began to fade and speech slurred. I felt thirsty and urinated frequently. I also felt hungry even though I had just eaten. I should have gone to a doctor earlier, and I urge everyone whether they are feeling ill or not to visit a doctor and have a blood test for diabetes.

The result of the diagnosis by Dr Douglas stunned me. I had heard that a lot of exercise burns up sugar in the body. As a national referee for 37 years and international referee for 18 years, I ran 60 miles per week refereeing during the football season and 25 miles per week out of season to maintain my fitness. However, when I retired as a referee in 1980 I did not continue my vigorous exercise to which my body had become accustomed and dieting was not part of my daily life. I believe it was after that period that diabetes set in. I got the greatest shock in my life when I visited a medical practitioner, who is a lecturer in medicine and also operates a private office. He sent me for a blood test and the result, he said, showed that I had a sexually transmitted disease. He asked if I wanted medication that would "knock it away but it would be very expensive". I told him that it was impossible for me to have a sexually transmitted disease and gave the reason. Apparently, the result of the blood test was mixed up with that of another person at the laboratory.

I visited another doctor and I did blood tests which confirmed Dr Douglas' diagnosis that I had diabetes. He gave me medication and in two weeks the sugar was reduced and the pimples disappeared - never to return.

There was another mystery in my illness. A few years ago I had a slight stroke which affected my right leg causing me to limp. I did blood tests to check my sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure, among other things. All of the tests were negative. My doctor was unable to tell me what caused the stroke, but I felt that my sugar must have been temporarily at a high level when the stroke hit me, and it came down afterwards. My limping continued for one month and disappeared following diet and vigorous exercise - a brisk walk of 40 minutes six times weekly. Four years ago I did not stick rigidly to my diet and exercise programmes and I ended up in hospital for five days. Diabetes demands proper management, frequent monitoring and control to maintain a balance between dieting and eating. No medication should be missed, not even one day.

Everyone ought to know their body. I know when my sugar becomes excessive. Thirst is accompanied by frequent urination, the feeling of hunger after I have just eaten, tiredness and sleepiness. My calves and knees are weak and I can hardly lift my feet. I find the use of a tester to check the level of the sugar useful and I would urge every diabetic to get one.

Often when I go to bed my sugar level is usually between 140 to l50 mg/dl, yet by morning it drops to between 90 and 95 and I feel weak. But after having coffee without any sugar, one ripe banana and four small wholewheat crackers at 6:am, I feel like moving mountains. Two hours later I feel even better after having a small dish of oats cereal and a slice of whole- wheat bread. If I eat a heavy meal late at night the sugar rises to over 140 in the morning, which does not give me much leverage for eating during the day.

One hundred and forty mg/dl is the limit and I have to watch out if it rises above that level. If the level goes over 250 I have to see my doctor because 300 is the danger mark. I find that alcohol and soft drinks, cake and ice cream and rice increase my sugar level quickly. I keep away from these as much as possible but find my wife's delicious rice and peas irresistible.

I also maintain a good sugar level when I eat in small portions during the day and a lot of vegetables. If I stick to my diet and do not exercise, my sugar still increases beyond the permissible level. If my sugar level is too high, my sexual drive goes down, which is all the more reason why I should control my sugar. At the time when I became aware that I was a diabetic there was considerable secrecy among people about the illness. It was regarded as if it were a contagious disease. Nowadays people are more open, sharing experiences which is a good thing. If you are diabetic, do not allow yourself to be tempted by what you should not eat or drink. Resist especially alcohol, cake, sorrel and ice cream.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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