Early detection, three essential health checks and regular screening can help prevent serious complications.
Diabetes is about far more than blood sugar. If undetected or poorly managed, it can progressively damage blood vessels, nerves and vital organs, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, blindness and sexual dysfunction.
During Diabetes Month, South Africans are encouraged to prioritise early detection, regular screening and appropriate medical intervention.
According to Dr Shaifali Joshi, a diabetologist, complications can develop gradually, often without obvious symptoms.
“People can live with diabetes for years without realising the damage elevated blood glucose can cause. By the time symptoms become noticeable, complications may already have developed. Regular testing and early intervention are therefore essential.”
Three essential health checks
Beyond daily blood glucose monitoring, three low-cost and easily accessible measurements provide important insights into diabetes management and associated health risks.
1. HbA1c – Know your blood sugar levels
This test measures average blood glucose over three to six months. A target of 7% or less is recommended for adults with diabetes, although individual targets vary. A result above 7% warrants prompt medical review and treatment adjustments.
Treatment adjustments are needed.
2. LDL cholesterol – Protect your heart
LDL, commonly known as ‘bad’ cholesterol, contributes to fatty deposits in arteries. A level of 2.4 mmol/L or below is a useful target for people at low cardiovascular risk, although those with diabetes, particularly people at higher cardiovascular risk, may require lower targets.
3. Blood pressure – Reduce cardiovascular risk
High blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney damage. A target below 130/80 mmHg is appropriate for many adults with diabetes, where safely achievable.
These measurements should form part of regular consultations with a healthcare professional, who can advise on appropriate individual targets.
Understanding the complications
Diabetes-related complications generally fall into two categories.
Macrovascular complications affect larger blood vessels, including those supplying the heart and brain, and increase the risk of:
- Coronary heart disease and heart attacks.
- Stroke.
- Peripheral arterial disease, which reduces blood circulation to the legs and feet.
Microvascular complications affect smaller blood vessels in the eyes and kidneys, as well as the nerves, potentially causing:
- Diabetic retinopathy (eye disease), which can lead to impaired vision or blindness.
- Diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease), which can progress to kidney failure.
- Neuropathy (nerve damage), causing pain, tingling or loss of sensation, particularly in the feet.
Nerve damage can mean someone does not notice a cut or blister. Combined with poor circulation and impaired healing, a minor injury can develop into a serious infection and, in severe cases, amputation.
The complications people rarely discuss
Diabetes can also affect sexual health. Erectile dysfunction, for example, can result from damage to blood vessels and nerves involved in achieving and maintaining an erection.
Although it has several possible causes, persistent erectile dysfunction can indicate an underlying health problem, including diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Men should discuss these symptoms with their doctors rather than dismissing them as an inevitable consequence of ageing.
Don’t wait for symptoms
Diabetes guidelines recommend regular screening to identify complications before they become advanced. People living with diabetes should discuss the following checks with their healthcare professionals:
- Annual eye examinations to screen for diabetic retinopathy.
- Kidney function tests, including annual blood tests to assess estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and regular urine tests to detect albumin (urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, or UACR). The frequency should be guided by a healthcare professional.
- An annual lipid profile (lipogram) to assess cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk.
- Annual foot health checks to assess nerve damage, poor circulation, wounds and infections.
Dr Joshi encourages anyone concerned about their diabetes risk, or who has not had a recent health assessment, to consult their GP or visit their nearest clinic.
The Diabetes Matters series: Continuing the conversation
Knowing your numbers, recognising warning signs and accessing appropriate medical care are essential. But living with diabetes involves everyday challenges that extend beyond the consultation room. The condition can affect family life, relationships, emotional wellbeing and daily decisions. Understanding the person behind the numbers is an important part of the conversation.
Weltek’s commitment to supporting people living with diabetes extends beyond awareness and education. The company is expanding
its range to include more than 20 lifestyle products aimed at assisting people with the everyday challenges of living with diabetes. The growing range reflects Weltek’s focus on practical, accessible support and wellbeing, recognising that managing diabetes involves more than monitoring blood glucose levels.
Weltek is supporting The Diabetes Mattersseries, a conversation-led community platform hosted by singer, entertainer and diabetes advocate Holly Rey, who lives with diabetes herself.
Bringing together healthcare professionals, people living with diabetes and those who support them, the platform creates space for real questions, personal experiences and credible information in a relatable, non-judgemental environment. The conversations are intended to extend beyond each episode, encouraging people to ask questions, seek appropriate support and take an active role in their health journey.
The Diabetes Matters Series launches on 11 November during Diabetes Awareness Month, inviting South Africans to be part of the conversations that matter.
The message this Diabetes Month is simple: know your numbers, get tested and take action. Early detection and appropriate management can help prevent complications and protect quality of life. And keep the conversation going.
