Online Reporter
By Arron Nyamayaro
THE fight signal was that I was losing weight.
There was no explanation for the weight loss.
I discussed it with my wife and she told me that it’s something that she had also noticed.
I had to go and get checked by a doctor, and that’s exactly what I did.
It was just the right call and the right time.
After some medical checks, I was told that I had diabetes.
It was my first time being admitted in a hospital ward.
For the past five years, I had unknowingly been battling the onset of this disease, as it silently crept into my life.
I craved sugary soft drinks, unaware that these were fuelling the rise of sugar in my bloodstream.
Eventually, I began to lose weight, a concern I shared with my wife.
Her insistence that I should get checked drove me to consult a medical doctor, who immediately admitted me in a hospital.
It was there, surrounded by patients whose stories echoed painful realities, that I learnt how many lives are lost due to poor dietary choices and the hesitation to seek regular medical check-ups.
Refined foods are a big concern for people’s wellness.
One patient, a former headmaster with over 45 years of service in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, now struggles with mental health issues, due to delayed diabetes testing.
Another man lost his leg.
Another man lost his sight.
One man even faced a loss of libido, a testament to the severe implications of untreated diabetes.
These stories led me to ponder.
How many more are afflicted by their dietary habits while ignoring the importance of early medical intervention?
It seems that men, often powered by a sense of invincibility, are particularly susceptible.
Their ego can prevent them from seeking the help they desperately need, and this must change.
As I continue my fight against this non-communicable disease, I urge everyone, especially men, to break the silence and stigma surrounding health issues.
Early detection and appropriate dietary choices could be the difference between life and death.
From discussions, I have learnt that a number of diabetes patients are failing to seek early treatment due to false prophecies from some self-styled prophets and sangomas blaming their relatives for bewitching them.
Upon realising that their sickness need medical attention, they consult doctors too late when the diabetes had spread all over the body.
No matter what job we are doing, our health comes first and we need to maintain our wellness.
I have changed my perspective on health issues.
I want to advocate for people’s wellness at churches, street corners and use my pen to send the message across the globe.
The real solution to managing diabetes lies not just in medication but in the food we eat, especially in choosing the right portions and types of food, particularly whole grains.
This insight comes from a seasoned diabetes specialist based in Harare.
“Arron,” he said to me, “as a journalist, you encourage others to seek cancer screenings and checks for high blood pressure and diabetes.
“Yet, it’s crucial that you also prioritise your own health.”
Dr John Mangwiro urged diabetes patients to consider maintaining their health through physical exercises, taking the right foods and reading information provided on all foods, for their wellness.
“Your health matters most,” said Dr Mangwiro.
“The type and amount of food you eat determine how you manage diabetes.
“Avoid being influenced by people around you, stick to what you have been told by your medical doctor.
“There is need to take your family to the medical doctor for a thorough explanation on how to manage a diabetes patient at home.
“Consider reading information provided on all the foods you buy on markets.
“Every information provided is for consumers to consider their health issues.
“We encourage people to go for regular health check-ups,” said Dr Mangwiro.
