THE Ministry of Health is appealing for more Jamaicans to get tested for diabetes, which it says currently affects more 236,200 citizens of the country.

Speaking in an interview with JIS News, Director of Non-Communicable diseases (NCDs) and Injuries Prevention Dr Tamu Davidson said a 2016/17 Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey showed that four out of 10 persons with diabetes were unaware that they had the disease.

“It points to the need for persons to get their health checks and to emphasise that in diabetes there are no symptoms in the early stages,” she pointed out.

“Persons can get screened at health centres,” she said, noting that counselling and treatment are provided for those who test positive.

Diabetes is a chronic or lifelong disease in which the body fails to make insulin or to properly use the insulin that it makes. Insulin is a hormone needed by the body to change food into glucose, which is used by the cells for energy.

Without careful management, diabetes can lead to a build-up of sugar in the blood, which can increase the risk of dangerous complications such as stroke and heart disease.

There are three main types of diabetes – Type 1, also known as juvenile diabetes, in which people are insulin-dependent, which means they must take artificial insulin daily to stay alive; Type 2 diabetes, when the body is unable to make enough insulin, or cannot properly use the insulin it makes; and Gestational diabetes, which affects some women during pregnancy, due to the body not being able to use insulin properly.

Dr Davidson said diabetes is regarded as the most common NCD, noting that the disease “affects almost every system in the body”, and if the condition goes untreated or is not properly managed, persons are at risk of blindness, amputation of limbs, heart problems, stroke, among myriad other complications.

As such, she said it is important that persons be diagnosed before they start showing symptoms and that those confirmed with the condition access care immediately.

“We are encouraging persons to get an annual check-up. Know your blood pressure, blood glucose, body mass index (BMI); it will tell you whether you are overweight, or your obesity range,” Dr Davidson said.

“You can take control, if you get diagnosed early, at the stage where you have no symptoms. Diabetes can be managed very well,” she added.

Dr Davidson told JIS News that 90 per cent of persons with the disease have the Type 2 condition, which typically occurs in persons 40 years and over.

She noteed that obesity is a major risk factor, in addition to alcohol and tobacco use, and consuming too much sugary or sweetened items.

“So your nutrition and physical activity are two things that we need to address,” she pointed out.

The ministry’s focus, she said, is first on prevention, through promoting a healthy lifestyle involving a balanced diet and regular physical activity.

For persons with the condition, healthy diet and exercise are recommended along with regular medical checks and medication prescribed by a doctor.

“We promote a holistic approach towards treatment… Our main target is to get the ailment under control,” Dr Davidson said.

She urged individuals to take advantage of the drug subsidy offered through the National Health Fund (NHF).

The NHF also provides a free glucometer or an insulin pen to persons with the disease. The glucometer measures the concentration of glucose in the blood, while the insulin pen is used to deliver the insulin dose.

The Ministry of Health partners in the staging of the annual Camp Yellow Bird, which caters to children with Type 1 diabetes and empowers teachers and parents in the management of the disease.

The ministry also observes World No Diabetes Day on November 14 each year to raise awareness about the disease.