What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease. It occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar, or when the body does not use the insulin it produces effectively. Often, patients experience a strong urge to urinate, frequent hunger, weight loss, increased thirst, intense fatigue, drowsiness, tingling, blurred vision, and mood changes. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes is associated with a genetic predisposition and occurs after an abnormality in the immune system is detected, while type 2 diabetes is linked to a sedentary lifestyle, overweight, or high blood pressure, among other factors.

Diabetes in Martinique: A Disturbing Observation

To explain this phenomenon, it is necessary to analyze the lifestyle of the population. The health of the inhabitants is poor, and it's almost a medical desert where access to healthcare is a challenging journey. The causes include the aging population (the Overseas Departments are expected to become the French departments with the highest number of elderly people in the near future), the high rate of obesity and overweight (more than 1 in 2 adults face this issue, with women being the most affected), precarious conditions, consumption habits, and sedentary lifestyles. To make matters worse, a general shortage of various types of doctors is felt: cardiologists, general practitioners, and podiatrists are all in short supply, and sometimes it takes more than a year to get an appointment because their presence is below the national average. The insularity of the island doesn't help.

Many complications related to the disease are possible; indeed, numerous hospitalizations for amputations are more frequent in Martinique (and in Reunion). Hospitalizations for renal failure should also be taken into account in Guadeloupe, Guyane, Reunion, and Martinique.

Many associations, such as AFD972, have taken on the mission to change the consumption habits of the inhabitants, especially dietary habits, and to raise awareness and educate through prevention activities for the population and schoolchildren. Sports workshops to reduce sedentary behavior are organized with the help of nutritionists and professionals.

Some Recommendations for Staying Healthy

According to doctors, balanced health involves a good diet. Three meals a day are sufficient, but it is also essential to avoid deviations and excessive intake of sugar, fat, and salt. Regular physical activity (at least three times a week) is also recommended to reduce the use of antidiabetic treatments, which also reduces complications related to the disease. It is also advised to undergo a complete medical checkup, and when the disease is detected, to follow an appropriate treatment prescribed by a doctor.