Dr. Diane Afeng-Nkansah Shares Essential Health Tips for Diabetes
Diabetes is a critical condition that it needs a good strategy to address by involving issues such as diet, exercise, and appropriate treatment. In a free medical screening exercise in Akyem Kyebi-Ahwenease in the Eastern Region recently, the Senior Family Physician Specialist/Diabetologist, 37 Military Hospital, Commander Dr. Diane Afeng-Nkansah took her time to give diabetics these practical advice.
Such advice focused on voluntary modifications of diet and other measures to achieve improved glycemic control and prevent secondary clinical manifestations of the disease.
The Role of Fiber-Rich Foods in Diabetes Management
Dr. Afeng-Nkansah went to some extent, describing the many advantages of the incorporation of fibrous diets. She noted that these foods help:
Control Blood Sugar Levels: Fiber reduces the rate at which sugar is absorbed in our system hence minimizing surges in blood sugar levels.
Manage Weight: Fiber helps in management of portions by increasing satiety levels when on a high fiber consuming diet.
Lower Complication Risks: That is why a diet with fiber minimizes the risk of cardiovascular problems and other diabetes issues.
She suggested taking specific foods such as; avocados, legumes, cereals, fruits and vegetables all of which control glucose levels in the body. For this reason, diabetic patients can do much to improve their health when they select such foods properly.
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Insights from the Free Medical Screening
Barima Gyensi Koree, Chief of Akyem Kyebi-Ahwenease, had organised the event for which in excess of 1,500 residents of the town took various health tests. Services provided included tests for:
- 1. Blood sugar
- 2. Blood pressure
- 3. Malaria
- 4. Hepatitis B
- 5. Eye health
- 6. Dental care
- 7. Physiotherapy
- 8. Massage therapy
The initiative sought to achieve health systems accessibility and also improve knowledge about appropriate health standards among residents.
Promoting Preventive Healthcare
Dr. Afeng-Nkansah took the opportunity to encourage everyone to go for check ups. She noted that the key aspects of dealing with diabetes and all other chronic diseases lies in early diagnosis and probably early management.
The management of diabetes is significantly rooted on the concept of preventive healthcare. She said if problems are recognized at this stage then it is easy to handle them and avoid dramatic consequences.
Encouraging Healthy Lifestyle Practices
The organizer of the event, which was Barima Gyensi Koree, explained the importance of early action in the health sector. He urged residents to:
Exercise Regularly: Something about moving the body physically enhances one’s insulin fitness and keep off extra pounds.
Maintain a Balanced Diet: Eating nutrient rich foods is beneficial to health.
Seek Timely Medical Attention: Failure to attend to health issues results in them worsening when treated competitively.
This, therefore, shows commitment to the health of the community and avails arguments for the availability of ail health related programmes especially in the rural areas.
Reducing Diabetes Rates in Ghana
To this end, Dr. Afeng-Nkansah also entered the domain of analysis of the general causes of the incidence of diabetes in Ghana in connection with lifestyle changes. She al soned that passage of information concerning balanced diet and the importance of periodic check-ups as ways that could reduce the diabetes prevalence across the country.
“If communities receive knowledge about nutrition and other measures they should take to prevent illnesses, they can change their health.” Even minor modifications like increasing fiber intake in the food and engaging in exercise, can go a long way, she said.
Building Healthier Communities
Such occasions as the free medical screening exercise in Akyem Kyebi-Ahwenease present paradigmatic examples of the various supportive ways in which leaders of communities and medical practitioners engage. As such, these programs ensure residents health needs are met as well as gain health knowledge and information that will enable them make informed decisions .
Dr. Afeng-Nkansah’s advice is a perfect reference for the people with diabetes and it proves the necessity of health risk management in their daily life.